EU27 deficit in trade in goods with China of 170 bn euro in 2008

Between 2000 and 2008 EU27 trade in goods with China more than tripled in value, with EU27 exports to China rising to 78 billion euro in 2008 compared with 26 bn in 2000, and imports rising to 248 bn from 75 bn. As a result, the EU27 trade deficit with China increased significantly, reaching 169 bn in 2008, compared with 49 bn in 2000.

The share of China in the EU27's total external trade in goods more than doubled between 2000 and 2008. In 2008, China was the EU27's second most important trading partner after the USA, accounting for 6% of EU27 exports and 16% of EU27 imports.

On the occasion of the 11^th European Union - China summit, which will take place on 20 May in Prague, Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, issues data on trade and investments between China and the EU.

Germany, 43% of EU27 exports to China and 21% of EU27 imports

Among the EU27 Member States, Germany (34 bn euro or 43% of EU exports) was by far the largest exporter to China in 2008, followed by France (9 bn or 11%), Italy and the United Kingdom (both 6 bn or 8%). Germany (51 bn or 21% of EU imports) was also the largest importer, followed by the Netherlands² (41 bn or 16%), the United Kingdom (33 bn or 13%) and Italy (24 bn or 10%).

All Member States registered deficits in trade with China in 2008. The largest deficits were observed in the Netherlands² (-37 bn euro), the United Kingdom (-27 bn), Germany and Italy (both -17 bn) and Spain (-15 bn).
Nearly 60% of EU27 exports to China in 2008 were machinery and vehicles³ and one fifth were other manufactured articles³, while these two groups accounted for more than 90% of imports. At the detailed level, the main EU27 exports to China included aircraft and motor cars, while the main imports included computers and parts, mobile phones and video games.