A German Economic Institute study said the headline growth masked sharp pain in sectors including autos, while services trade also reached a record €865 billion.
EU-U.S. goods trade reached a record €875 billion last year even as tariff pressure intensified, according to a study by the German Economic Institute. EU exports to the United States rose 7.7% to €580 billion and U.S. imports into the EU increased 2.2% to €295 billion, lifting the EU's trade surplus to nearly €285 billion. The study said those top-line figures can give a misleading impression that tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump and broader political tensions have not damaged the relationship. IW economist Samina Sultan said the picture is weaker beneath the surface, with some industries already under significant strain. The automotive sector stood out, with EU car and parts exports to the U.S. falling 20.4% in 2025 and Germany, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of EU auto exports to the United States, recording an 18.9% drop. Ireland was an exception, posting a 52.7% jump in exports, helped by tariff-exempt pharmaceutical and chemical products. Services trade (cross-border business such as licensing and finance) across the Atlantic also hit a record €865 billion, although the EU ran a €178 billion deficit. Intellectual property fees (payments for patents and software rights), including software licenses, patents and trademarks, made up more than 40% of EU service imports from the U.S. and rose 13.7%.