EU trade surplus narrows on US, China export, import squeeze
By Frank Prenesti
Date: Friday 13 Feb 2026
(Sharecast News) - The European Union's trade surplus fell again, according to flash estimates published on Friday, as US tariffs continued to hit exports while imports, particularly from China, weighed on local manufacturers.
The 27-nation bloc's surplus fell to €12.9bn in December from €13.9bn a year earlier as chemical, machinery and vehicle sales declined, said the EU's statistical office.
In the eurozone the surplus fell to €12.6bn from €13.9bn in December 2024. Exports from the single currency region to the rest of the world were €234bn, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%.
EU exports to the US were down 12.6% from a year earlier, reducing the surplus to €9.3bn, while the deficit with China rose to €26.8bn from €24.5bn.
In separate announcements, the eurozone economy grew by 0.3% in the fourth quarter while employment rose by 0.2% in the same period, unchanged from the previous three months.
Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
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