The EU’s trade surplus spiked to €19.4 billion in September 2025 as exports to the U.S. increased 15% YoY following the implementation of the new transatlantic trade agreement. Exports from the EU to the rest of the world also went up 7.7% YoY to €256.6 billion in September, while imports surged 5.3% to reach €237.1 billion.
Eurostat’s data published on November 14 showed that the eurozone’s September trade surplus had notably jumped by €17.5 billion from August’s €1.9 billion. The data also confirmed that the trade surplus surged 33.5% YoY from €12.9 billion in September 2024 to €19.4 billion in September 2025.
Eurostat emphasized that the resulting surplus indicated the positive trade momentum with the United States. The resulting surplus emerged as the positive effects of the new U.S.-EU trade agreement began to materialize.
EU’s U.S. exports jump to €53.1B in September
Eurostat’s data revealed that EU exports to the U.S. surged 15.4% YoY to €53.1 billion in September. Imports from the U.S. also strengthened, climbing 12.5% YoY to €30.9 billion. The EU’s trade surplus with the U.S. improved to €22.2 billion, up from €18.5 billion in September 2024.
However, the trade agreement signed by the EU and the U.S. in August may soon face its first major criticism. Ruben Segura-Cayuela, an economist at Bank of America, claimed that the deal was shaky from the start. He notes that unresolved issues and a lack of clarity around key commitments will hinder the deal.
The BOA economist disclosed that there are key elements, such as the EU’s promised tariff cuts on industrial goods. He noted that they have yet to be finalized or approved. Ruben further noted that contradictions over the extent of regulatory alignment also persist, especially in sensitive sectors such as investment, defense, and energy. The Commission is expected to present a revised implementation plan to Washington aimed at resolving these commitments.
EU-China trade weakens as chemicals drive EU’s global surplus
Eurostat’s data confirmed that China’s trade with the EU has continued to decline amid the strong growth in U.S. exports. Exports to China plunged 2.5% YoY in September to €16.7 billion, indicating subdued Chinese demand. Exports to Turkiye also slipped 1.5%, while exports to Japan rose 3.5% and those to Mexico increased by 11.1%. Exports to South Korea also surged 6.6%, and to India by 7.7%.
Meanwhile, chemical products drove the overall EU trade balance, which showed a significant improvement. Eurostat’s data revealed that the EU had a surplus of €16.3 billion in September, reversing a €4.5 billion deficit from the previous month.
The shift was largely driven by the chemicals sector, whose surplus increased from €15.4 billion in August to €26.9 billion in September. However, the surplus for vehicles and machinery narrowed from €16.4 billion to €13.8 billion YoY. The EU’s overall trade balance improved by €6.8 billion YoY.
From January to September 2025, the eurozone also recorded a surplus of €128.7 billion, a 4.17% decrease from €134.3 billion in the same period in 2024. Similarly, the EU’s surplus dropped 7.69% YTD to stand at €104.3 billion.
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