60% decline in the European trade surplus with the outside world during February

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Brussels, April 17 / WAM / The European Union’s trade surplus with the rest of the world shrank by 60 percent last February, in light of a sharp decline in exports to the United States by more than a quarter, with US customs duties of 15 percent continuing to apply to most European goods.

Data issued by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) today (Friday) showed that total European Union exports decreased by 9.3 percent in February compared to the same period last year, while imports declined by 3.5 percent.

The United States recorded the largest decline in its imports from the European Union, as European exports to it fell by 26.4 percent on an annual basis, while the Union’s imports from the United States decreased by 3.2 percent. European Union exports to China also declined.

Eurostat indicated that European exporters had intensified their shipments to the American market a year ago, in anticipation of the customs duties imposed by US President Donald Trump, which led to an increase in export numbers during the beginning of 2025, and this may explain the sharp decline recorded in February.

EU exports to the United States in February 2025 rose by 22.4 percent compared to the previous year.

On February 20, the US Supreme Court invalidated the broad tariffs imposed by Trump based on a law designated for national emergencies.

However, days later, the United States imposed new temporary duties on global imports, and intends to restructure customs tariffs to mimic the arrangements agreed upon with the European Union last year.