Given its high level of Exports, Germany is interested in open markets. The most important trading partners are France, the USA and Great Britain. In 2004, goods and services worth EUR 75 billion were exported to France, EUR 65 billion to the USA and EUR 61 billion to Great Britain.

In addition to trade with the original European Union member states, since the EU’s expansion eastwards in May 2004 there has been a pronounced increase in trade with the east European EU member states. Even in the early 1990s, German products found their way to these countries as well as to Asia. As early as 2001-2 there were 830,000 persons employed in subsidiaries of German companies in Europe’s former transformation countries, whereas in 1990 the figure had been as good as negligible. On aggregate, a good 10% of all Exports go to these countries, on a par for the volume of Exports heading for the USA.

The importance of trade and economic relations with emerging nations in Asia such as China and India is growing continually. Any country that is growing rapidly enjoys a competitive edge, providing it with an opportunity to draw level with richer countries. This tendency is also in the interest of German foreign trade policy, as without being integrated in the worldwide trade system Germany would be unable to defend its position as a modern Industrial nation. At the same time, the trend means the country faces new challenges. In this respect the German economy has revealed a high degree of competitiveness, achieved on the one hand through its Economic policy, and on the other through moderate wage agreements.

Companies generate almost a third of their profits through exports, and almost one in four jobs are dependent on foreign trade. The high level of international competitiveness is most evident where companies vie with others in the international arena. Despite the slump in world trade, the share of exports expanded at a higher than average rate. In addition, the continuous rise in direct investments by international companies in Germany and by German companies abroad underscores the strong position of the German economy in comparison with its international competitors.

Similar to Qatar there are no exchange controls on ordinary foreign currency transactions in Germany, but for statistical purposes the Central Bank has to be informed of transfers to and from the country.

Global trade and international investments are among the most important prerequisites for growth, employment and prosperity in Germany. More than any other country of comparable size, Germany's companies are interconnected with the international division of labour. Foreign trade is the driving force behind Germany's economic relations abroad. Germany is the world's leading exporting country, the proportion of exports in the GDP is more than one third. One out of every three Euros earned is earned abroad. Every fifth job in German depends on German products and services selling well on global markets.

As reported by the Federal Statistical Office, in the first half of 2005, the export surplus reached an alltime high in a half-year period. The export surplus amounted to EUR 84.8 billion in the first six months of 2005 and thus exceeded the half-year figure of the former record year 2004. In the months from January to June 2004, the export surplus totalled EUR 84.2 billion.

According to provisional data of the Federal Statistical Office, Germany exported commodities to the value of EUR 73.1 billion and imported commodities to the value of EUR 60.0 billion in July 2006. German exports of July 2006 thus were 13.4% and imports were 19.9% above the respective July 2005 levels. Upon calendar and seasonal adjustment, exports increased by 2.3% and imports by 2.8% from June 2006.

The foreign trade balance showed a surplus of EUR 13.1 billion in July 2006. In July 2005, the surplus had amounted to EUR 14.5 billion. Upon calendar and seasonal adjustment, the foreign trade balance recorded a surplus of EUR 11.9 billion in July 2006.

Total German imports in the second quarter of 2006 were up 14.9% (to EUR 178.3 billion) compared with a year earlier. Arrivals from the EU 25, however, rose less strongly (+11.9% to EUR 104.0 billion). Arrivals from the euro area increased by 12.0% (to EUR 70.6 billion), from the group of EU countries not belonging to the euro area by 11.8% (to EUR 33.4 billion). The ten new EU member states contributed to the latter figure by an increase of 16.7% to EUR 17.1 billion, especially imports from Poland (+24.7% to EUR 4.8 billion) and the Czech Republic (+20.8% to EUR 5.5 billion). Imports from third countries rose 19.3% (to EUR 74.3 billion). Due to import price rises for mineral oil and natural gas, imports especially from Norway rose above average (+63.9% to EUR 5.4 billion) and Russia (+40.3% to EUR 7.7 billion). Other imports that were up above average were those from India (+30.6% to EUR 1.1 billion) and Taiwan (+24.1% to EUR 1.4 billion). Imports from China (+19.1% to EUR 10.8 billion), too, increased more strongly than total imports. Imports from the United States (+9.0% to EUR 11.8 billion) and Japan (+7.0% to EUR 5.7 billion) rose less strongly.

Germany's foreign trade surplus illustrates the strong competitiveness of German firms. The former increased from a good EUR 11 billion in 1991, to EUR 130 billion in 2003. Imports totaling EUR 532 billion were offset by the export of goods and services totaling EUR 661 billion.

The western industrialized countries are Germany's most important trading partners. The closest trading relationships continue to be those with EU member states, with whom more than half of all foreign trade is conducted. In 2003, the most important partner was once again France. In terms of imports, the Netherlands and United States followed next. Following France, the main importers of German goods and services were the United States and Great Britain.

The curve for trade with the central and east European countries that recently joined the EU is also very positive. In 2003, Germany exported goods to these countries totaling EUR 56.5 billion, and imported goods from these nations to the value of EUR 57.3 billion. In 2003, exports to these nations were up 5.7% on 2002, while imports rose by an impressive 10%. Trade with the EU accession countries has seen markedly stronger growth in the ten years from 1993 to 2003 than German foreign trade as a whole. This is a clear indication of just how strong the role of this region is for German foreign trade, and the importance it will have for Germany in light of EU expansion eastwards. In 2003, the Czech Republic was the most important market for German goods and services in central and east Europe, followed by Poland and Hungary.

Foreign trade is exceedingly important for both growth and employment. In Germany, roughly one job in four depends on the export trade. In manufacturing this dependence is even stronger, with over one third of the sector's produce being exported. Essentially, if Germany did not have such close ties with the world economy it would not be able to survive as a modern industrial nation. Needless to say, efficiency and competitiveness are also a fundamental basis for relations with other countries. Trade and economic links help stabilize international relations.