The European Union’s trade surplus with the USA fell by half in the third quarter, compared to the first, standing at 40.8 billion euros, after also decreasing in the second quarter, Eurostat announced this Tuesday, 25th.
Data released this Tuesday, 25th, by the statistical office of the European Union (EU), Eurostat, show that, in the third quarter of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of 40.8 billion euros with the United States, which represents a decrease of 13.3% compared to the surplus of 47.1 billion euros in the second quarter and a substantial decrease of 49.7% compared to the trade surplus of 81.2 billion euros in the first quarter of 2025.
“The first quarter stood out for the sharp increase in exports to the United States, taking into account potential customs tariffs imposed by the United States,” notes Eurostat.
According to the statistical office, in the third quarter of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus in chemicals and related products, machinery and vehicles, other manufactured products and food and drinks.
On the other hand, deficits were recorded in energy, raw materials and other goods. The trade surplus of chemicals and related products decreased in the second and third quarters of 2025 (surplus of 24.7 and 23.0 billion euros, respectively), after reaching its peak in the first quarter of 2025 (surplus of 54.1 billion euros), due to potential tariffs from the United States.
According to Eurostat, since the first quarter of 2021, “EU imports from the United States followed a similar pattern to EU imports from the rest of the world until the second quarter of 2022”.
“However, following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU increased imports of energy products from the United States and, consequently, imports from the United States grew more than those from the rest of the world and remained at a comparatively higher level”, it is further explained.
Last July, the EU and the US reached a political trade agreement that sets a base tariff of 15% on most European exports to the United States, with that figure serving as a clear ceiling for customs duties.
At the same time, it was agreed to eliminate tariffs for strategic products: aircraft and their parts, some chemicals, generic medicines, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products and critical raw materials.
Despite this, tariffs on steel and aluminum remain at 50%, although the agreement provides for the future introduction of a quota system to limit this surcharge.
In addition, the EU has committed to purchasing $750 billion (€650 billion) in energy – mainly LNG and nuclear – from the United States by 2028 and investing $600 billion (€520 billion) in strategic North American sectors during that period.
Efforts aim to restore stability and predictability in transatlantic exchanges.