GDANSK/BERLIN (Sept 8): German exports unexpectedly fell in July, ending a run of monthly increases since February, as shipments to European Union countries declined.

Exports fell by 0.8% in July compared with the previous month, data from the federal statistics office showed on Tuesday. Exports to EU countries dropped by 1.6%, while exports to non-EU countries increased by 0.2% on the month.

The median expectation of economists polled by Reuters was for a 0.1% increase.

Imports dropped by 5.7% on the month, meaning the trade surplus grew to €21.3 billion (US$24.8 billion) in July from €15.4 billion in June.

The trade numbers —  and separate data from France showing a widening French trade deficit in June —  were in sharp contrast to new figures showing a 25% surge in Chinese exports year-on-year in August, on the back of high-tech and AI-related products.

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