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External Publication 18. January 2024 Jürgen Matthes in The European Money and Finance Forum Competition from China in the EU market for Germany’s manufacturing sector

China has continuously gained market shares in the EU import market since 2000. At the same time, Germany’s share in EU imports has declined since 2005. This divergence is particularly relevant for sophisticated manufacturing products in which Germany is specialized.

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External Publication
Competition from China in the EU market for Germany’s manufacturing sector
External Publication 18. January 2024 Jürgen Matthes in The European Money and Finance Forum

Competition from China in the EU market for Germany’s manufacturing sector

Jürgen Matthes in The European Money and Finance Forum German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

China has continuously gained market shares in the EU import market since 2000. At the same time, Germany’s share in EU imports has declined since 2005. This divergence is particularly relevant for sophisticated manufacturing products in which Germany is specialized.

The diverging trends can be found for all depicted 2-digit-sectors. Moreover, China’s gains and Germany’s losses in the EU market accelerated between 2020 and 2022 in many respects – which would be in line with China plans to upgrade its production structure, e.g. in the course of the strategy ‘Made in China 2025’. This development raises questions about the competitive distortions emanating from China’s state capitalism and about appropriate trade policy responses.

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External Publication
Competition from China in the EU market for Germany’s manufacturing sector
External Publication 18. January 2024 Jürgen Matthes in The European Money and Finance Forum

Competition from China in the EU market for Germany’s manufacturing sector

Jürgen Matthes in The European Money and Finance Forum German Economic Institute (IW) German Economic Institute (IW)

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Free and Fair Trade Club to build Middle Power Weight
IW-Policy Paper No. 7 13. July 2026 Jürgen Matthes

Free and Fair Trade Club to build Middle Power Weight

This paper proposes that the EU should build a cooperation platform together with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership).

Jürgen Matthes IW

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IW-Report No. 32 3. July 2026 Galina Kolev-Schaefer / Samina Sultan

Transatlantic trade at a crossroads

As the US celebrates a quarter of a millennium of independence, transatlantic trade relations stand at a crossroads. The year 2025 was marked by the introduction of unprecedented tariffs by the US administration.

Galina Kolev-Schaefer / Samina Sultan IW

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