The European Union's (EU) goods trade surplus with the United States continued to expand in April despite US tariffs, while exports to China fell for the ninth consecutive month, data released by Eurostat on Friday showed.
The EU's overall trade surplus fell to €7.4 billion (US$8.5 billion) in April 2024, compared with €12.7 billion in the same month last year.
The EU's goods trade surplus with the United States continued its upward trend, having increased every month since January 2024. Both exports and imports between the EU and the US increased for the fourth consecutive month in April, although at a slower pace than in previous months.
In March, EU exports to the United States surged by 59.5%, suggesting that US importers have made large purchases of EU and other goods ahead of the expected tariff hike.
US President Donald Trump has previously announced a range of sweeping tariffs on major trading partners with the aim of reducing the US goods trade deficit with the EU.
The data comes amid trade tensions between the world's major economies, with the EU maintaining its position as a contributor to a trade surplus with the US, but continuing to face challenges in its trade relations with China.
