The EU's trade surplus with the US soars by 244% just before Trump's tariffs.

BrusselsDonald Trump's threats to the European Union the imposition of tariffs The US is facing a difficult time, even if the president eventually backs down and stops the trade war he himself unleashed. The European bloc boosted its surplus with the US powerhouse last March compared to the same month in 2024: its surplus was around €40.7 billion, a 244% increase, according to a report published by the European Commission's statistical institute, Eurostat.

The sharpest peak in imports of European products into the United States was also recorded last March. It reached €71.386 billion, while the same month last year it was only €44.746 billion. In contrast, US exports to the EU only grew slightly, from €28.011 billion to €30.653 billion.

It's worth remembering that the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, which the White House had announced the previous month, went into effect on March 12. Later came new customs duties on automobiles and their components, and a 10% general import tax imposed on the EU. However, the EU is increasingly optimistic about reaching a trade agreement with the US and avoiding at least an escalation of the tariff war.

An exporting powerhouse

Despite the pessimism the EU is experiencing, it remains a major exporting power and is generally increasing its trade surplus with the rest of the world. In March, exports to the US increased by 58% compared to February and 58% compared to March 2024.

However, this is not only thanks to sales in the United States. The surplus in March compared to the same month in 2024 with the United Kingdom grew to 16.1 billion (compared to 15.4 billion the previous year), with Switzerland to 8.5 billion (almost 2.5 billion more), and increased by 200 billion in Brazil by 200 billion. It was reduced by 300 million to 2.4 billion; by 100 million with South Korea and Japan, to 800 and 100 million, respectively. However, the negative surplus with India and, especially, with China also increased by 100 million: it went from 22.1 billion in March 2024 to 26.1 billion in the same month in 2025. Furthermore, the Euro report on chemicals, vehicles and their components, and all types of machinery. Along the same lines, although in much smaller quantities, the community blog also reports a significant export of agricultural products. The negative balance is primarily due to the import of fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, and coal, and critical raw materials.