In January, Vietnam imported US$358.80 million worth of goods from Germany, down from US$455.12 million in December, a change of -21.16 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
So far this year, Vietnam has imported US$359 million worth of goods from Germany.
Vietnam imported US$135.17 million worth of machines, equipment, tools and instruments from Germany in January. This was down from US$202.44 million in December, a change of -33.23 percent.
Vietnam imported US$27.61 million worth of pharmaceutical products from Germany in January. This was down from US$33.13 million in December, a change of -16.66 percent.
Vietnam imported US$27.26 million worth of computers from Germany in January. This was up from US$25.32 million in December, a change of 7.67 percent.
Vietnam imported US$20.06 million worth of chemical products from Germany in January. This was down from US$24.14 million in December, a change of -16.91 percent.
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Vietnam’s trade with Germany
In January, Vietnam imported goods worth US$358.80 million from Germany and exported US$1,011.52 million, bringing total trade to US$1,370.31 million and resulting in a trade surplus of US$652.72 million.
Two-way trade so far this year between Vietnam and Germany has reached US$1,370.31 million, with Vietnam importing US$358.80 million worth of goods and exporting US$1,011.52 million.
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Vietnam-Germany news
Recent developments in trade and investment between the two countries include:
Germany’s KURZ expansion
KURZ Vietnam, a subsidiary of Germany-based LEONHARD KURZ, broke ground on Phase 2 of its factory project with additional investment of VND 830 billion, about US$31.52 million, at Becamex VSIP Binh Dinh Industrial Park.
The expansion will add 25 million square meters of annual production capacity and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
Germany’s PNE misses out on windfarm project to VinGroup
Vietnam authorities selected VinEnergo, a newly established subsidiary of Vingroup, to develop the first 750 megawatt phase of a major wind power project in Gia Lai province.
German renewable energy firm PNE, backed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure, said the decision was unexpected after working on the project since 2019 and investing millions of dollars.
Sources said authorities raised concerns about PNE’s financial commitments, including requests for unexpected guarantees and pre-depositing funds in Vietnamese bank accounts.
See the latest Vietnam news headlines→
Vietnam-Germany trade relations
Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1975, laying the foundation for expanding trade and investment ties over the past five decades.
Germany is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade supported by the European Union–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which took effect in 2020 and reduced most tariffs over a phased schedule.
The two countries have also deepened economic cooperation through development assistance, vocational training partnerships, and business chambers such as the German Business Association in Vietnam.
In addition, the European Union–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement aims to strengthen investor protections and dispute settlement mechanisms, although it requires full ratification by European Union member states.
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The data
Vietnam imports from Germany in January US$m
| January | December | MoM | YTD | |
| Total | 358.80 | 455.12 | -21.16% | 358.80 |
| machine, equipment, tools and instruments | 135.17 | 202.44 | -33.23% | 135.17 |
| other products | 38.82 | 48.25 | -19.55% | 38.82 |
| pharmaceutical products | 27.61 | 33.13 | -16.66% | 27.61 |
| computers | 27.26 | 25.32 | 7.67% | 27.26 |
| chemical products | 20.06 | 24.14 | -16.91% | 20.06 |
| chemicals | 17.35 | 29.72 | -41.60% | 17.35 |
| other means of transportation, parts and accessories thereof | 11.36 | 10.52 | 7.97% | 11.36 |
| milk and milk products | 10.00 | 6.36 | 57.20% | 10.00 |
| plastic products | 8.73 | 8.68 | 0.62% | 8.73 |
| iron and steel products | 7.95 | 8.97 | -11.29% | 7.95 |
| motor vehicles | 7.18 | 0.28 | 2445.65% | 7.18 |
| parts and accessories of motor vehicles | 6.30 | 5.81 | 8.42% | 6.30 |
| plastics | 5.81 | 5.14 | 13.06% | 5.81 |
| animal fodders and animal fodder materials | 4.65 | 4.55 | 2.25% | 4.65 |
| wood and wooden products | 4.40 | 4.35 | 1.06% | 4.40 |
| textile and footwear materials | 3.40 | 1.54 | 121.36% | 3.40 |
| insulated wires and cables | 2.49 | 1.99 | 25.45% | 2.49 |
| insecticides, rodenticides and materials | 2.46 | 4.51 | -45.39% | 2.46 |
| essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations | 2.21 | 3.39 | -34.76% | 2.21 |
| rubber products | 2.18 | 2.56 | -14.92% | 2.18 |
| other base metal products | 2.04 | 2.42 | -15.88% | 2.04 |
| iron and steel | 1.73 | 3.18 | -45.70% | 1.73 |
| other base metals | 1.52 | 2.52 | -39.70% | 1.52 |
| fabrics | 1.22 | 2.41 | -49.64% | 1.22 |
| other edible food preparations | 1.18 | 2.54 | -53.72% | 1.18 |
| paper | 1.04 | 1.29 | -19.53% | 1.04 |
| other petroleum products | 0.96 | 0.87 | 10.06% | 0.96 |
| pastries, sweets and cereal products | 0.90 | 2.92 | -69.37% | 0.90 |
| rubber | 0.87 | 1.92 | -54.86% | 0.87 |
| ores and other minerals product | 0.70 | 0.37 | 87.80% | 0.70 |
| fertilizers | 0.64 | 1.71 | -62.74% | 0.64 |
| paper products | 0.36 | 0.47 | -23.79% | 0.36 |
| pharmaceutical materials | 0.24 | 0.82 | -70.88% | 0.24 |
Vietnam trade with Germany year to date US$m
| January | December | MoM | YTD | |
| Imports | 358.80 | 455.12 | -21.16% | 358.80 |
| Exports | 1,011.52 | 928.27 | 8.97% | 1,011.52 |
| Total | 1,370.31 | 1,383.39 | -0.94% | 1,370.31 |
| Balance | 652.72 | 473.15 | 37.95% | 652.72 |