The euro area’s trade surplus with non-EU countries fell to €9.9 billion in April 2025, down from €13.6 billion a year earlier, according to Eurostat. This marks a sharp drop from March’s €37.3 billion surplus, largely driven by a 1.4% decline in exports to €243.0 billion. Imports remained steady at €233.1 billion.
A significant contributor to the decline was the chemicals sector. Its trade surplus shrank to €22.1 billion in April, nearly half of the €42.8 billion recorded in March. Additionally, the surplus in the machinery and vehicles category also fell year-over-year, further dampening the trade balance.
The broader European Union also experienced a trade surplus reduction. In April, the EU27 recorded a €7.4 billion surplus with non-EU countries, compared to €12.8 billion in April 2024. Exports rose 1.1% to €228.4 billion, but imports increased at a faster rate of 3.7%, reaching €221.0 billion.
Despite the weaker April figures, the first four months of 2025 indicate overall resilience. The euro area posted a €71.0 billion cumulative trade surplus, up from €68.6 billion in the same period last year. The EU’s year-to-date surplus reached €58.9 billion, slightly below 2024’s €63.7 billion.
Year-on-year, both exports and imports grew more than 5 percent across the euro area and the EU. This suggests that while sector-specific pressures have emerged, global demand has remained relatively strong so far in 2025.
The US dollar held steady after June’s NFP report showed 147,000 new jobs, easing recession fears while supporting calls for future Fed cuts due to slowing private hiring. EUR/USD remained near 1.1760 in quiet holiday trading, while the yen hovered around 145 amid tariff uncertainty.
The latest data suggests that while the U.S. labor market remains resilient, there are emerging signs of softening.
Detail Currencies and Commodities Hold Range (07.03.2025)Major currencies and commodities traded cautiously on Thursday as markets awaited crucial US labor data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s next move.
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