Trading Partner Portal: Germany
Guest Commentary: Stronger Together:
German American Trade Relations in a Changing World
Oliver Schramm, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in San Francisco
March 18, 2025
Interview with AmCham Germany – Startup Culture in Berlin Finds Inspiration in California Entrepreneurial Spirit
CalChamber, January 7, 2022
Trade Overview
Since the reunification nearly 40 years ago, the German economy has grown steadily to become Europe’s largest economy, and the third largest in the world. Germany had a nominal GDP of $5.05 trillion in 2025 and a population of 83.49 million according to data from the World Bank. World Bank
Bavaria is the largest German state by land area and second largest by the size of its economy. Bavaria’s GDP is almost $716.8 billion, making it the seventh largest economy in the EU. Bavaria has strong commitments to funding and support for innovation and entrepreneurship and is known for its industry. Bavaria has branded itself as Germany’s Silicon Valley, positioning itself as a major global tech hub. Approximately one-fourth of German DAX-listed companies are headquartered in Bavaria. Bavaria Worldwide
U.S. – Germany Trade
Germany holds the spot as the United States’ seventh top export destination. Two-way goods trade between the U.S. and Germany totaled $239.17 billion in 2025.
The United States exported $83.06 billion to Germany in 2025, with $21.85 billion being in transportation equipment. This was followed by chemicals ($17.69 billion), computer & electronic products ($8.89 billion), oil and gas ($6.5 billion), and non-electrical machinery ($5.71 billion).
The U.S. imported $156.11 billion in goods from Germany in the same year. Chemicals were the top import at $35.91 billion. Other top imports included transportation equipment ($31.86 billion), non-electrical machinery ($26.82 billion), computer and electronic products ($12.90 billion), and goods returned ($8.55 billion).
Total services trade between the U.S. and Germany in 2025 was $97.48 billion, with services exports totaling $45.97 billion. Top services exported were other business services, transport, telecommunications, computer, and information services, travel, and financial services.
Services imports from Germany to the U.S. in 2025 was $51.52 billion. Top services imports were other business services, transport, charges for intellectual property use, insurance services, and travel.
California – Germany Trade
As California’s 8th largest export destination, California exported $5.95 billion in goods to Germany. Top exports included computer & electronic products ($1.36 billion), chemicals ($916 million), agricultural products ($787 million), non-electrical machinery ($662 million), and miscellaneous manufactures ($449 million).
Imports from Germany to California totaled $12.80 billion in 2025 with transportation equipment being the top import at $6.17 billion. This was followed by non-electrical machinery ($1.55 billion), computer and electronic products ($1.48 billion), electrical equipment, appliances & components ($742 million), and chemicals ($681 million). (U.S. Department of Commerce)
FDI – Germany
Ranking as the 3rd largest investor in the United States, Germany invested more than $537 billion in FDI in the U.S. Likewise, U.S. FDI into Germany totaled $239.3 billion in 2025. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis)
German FDI in the U.S. supported 871,400 jobs and invested $12.8 billion into research and development, with $60 billion going to expand U.S. exports. The top industry sectors for German FDI in the U.S. were: industrial equipment, software and IT services, transportation, auto components, electronic components, and chemicals. Select USA
In California, Germany was the fifth largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) in 2025. German FOEs provided over 60,608 jobs through 1,381 firms amounting to $8.83 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are manufacturing, information, professional/business services, retail trade, and education/health (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
Tourism
The California Travel and Tourism Commission unveiled a German Web site to attract more German-speaking travelers to the Golden State. Visit California (Deutsch)
Approximately 365,000 German visitors came to California in 2025 spending approximately $886 million. The primary purpose of trip for German visitors to California was vacation/holidays (65%).
CalChamber Resources
- German American Chamber
- German Consul in California
- International Trade FAQs
- GO-Biz Stats: German FDI in CA
Business
- California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
- U.S. Commercial Service Germany
- German American Business Association
- German American Chamber of Commerce of California
- AmCham Germany
- German Office for Foreign Trade/Invest in Germany
- Bavarian U.S. Offices / Invest in Bavaria
- The State Portal: Bavaria
- Bayern International
- The State Portal: Baden – Wurttemberg
- The State Portal: Berlin
- Berlin Partner GmbH
- Berlin Chamber of Commerce & Industry