Germany's trade balance is registering a significant change for the first time in a long time. Berlin, the European champion of exports, showed a slight increase in purchases from abroad in February, but still higher than that of exported goods.
Imports increased in the second month of the year by a moderate 0,4% monthly, reaching a record level since reunification: 77,6 billion. On an annual basis, the increase was a robust 8,5%, suggesting a trend that is not temporary.
It is the sign of a domestic demand - consumption and investment - which is therefore catching a breath, as European partners and many international organizations have been asking for for years.
As for exports, they fell by 1,3% monthly, to 93,3 billion. At the annual level they still rose, but at a slower pace: 3,5%.
