German exports rose 0.9 percent in May to 137.9 billion euros, marking a fourth consecutive month of growth as strong demand from the United States offset weaker trade with European partners.
Shipments to the US surged 23.1 percent to 14.1 billion euros, while exports to China gained 7.1 percent to 6.2 billion euros. Trade with Britain slipped 0.4 percent to 6.7 billion euros. However, exports to fellow European Union states fell 1.1 percent to 78.3 billion euros, underscoring uneven demand within the bloc.
Imports declined 2.5 percent to 118.8 billion euros, widening Germany's trade surplus and pointing to subdued domestic demand in Europe's largest economy.