Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) forecasts Germany’s 2026 trade deficit with 29
Asia‑Pacific economies will reach about €146bn ($163bn), a record; exports to
the region is projected to fall 3.2% to €185.3bn while imports rise 6.4% to
€330.9bn. Chancellor Merz is visiting Japan, South Korea and Singapore this week
and urged mid-sized European and Asian powers to form strategic alliances on
trade, technology and security.