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The European Union’s exports to the United States in February 2025 increased by 22.4% compared to the same period last year, reaching a record 51.8 billion euros, according to Eurostat. This is the highest export growth rate in the last 13 months. At the same time, imports from the United States increased by only 2.4%, amounting to 28.2 billion euros, Reuters reports.
This rapid growth in exports took place against the backdrop of trade tensions caused by statements made by US President Donald Trump. On 13 February, Trump instructed his economic team to develop plans to introduce reciprocal tariffs for countries that impose taxes on US imports. However, despite threats to impose various trade sanctions upon his return to the White House in January, many of these measures have been postponed.
In February 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €23 billion, which contrasts with a deficit of €5.6 billion in January. By comparison, in 2024, EU exports to the US increased by 5.5% compared to 2023, while imports decreased by 4.0%.
Analysts attribute the growth in exports to the active stockpiling of goods by European companies ahead of possible tariff restrictions by the US. In particular, a significant role was played by deliveries of pharmaceuticals, cars and industrial equipment, which account for the bulk of European exports to the US.
These data underline the resilience of EU-US trade ties despite uncertainty in global trade policy. Further developments will depend on the implementation of the Trump administration’s tariff plans and the EU’s response to them.
