EU countries exported significantly fewer goods to the USA in the first quarter of 2026. According to Eurostat, exports to the United States were down 30.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The value of goods exported from January to March 2026 amounted to €119.4 billion. Despite this sharp decline, the USA remained the most important export destination for the EU, accounting for 18.6 percent of total exports.
This is a strong number for logistics. It shows how quickly trade flows can change when tariffs, political uncertainty, and pull-forward effects coincide. Eurostat points out that trade between the EU and the USA was significantly boosted in the first quarter of 2025 due to fears of new tariffs. This was followed by a notable decline.
The overall EU external trade also weakened. The EU exported goods valued at €640.5 billion to non-EU countries in the first quarter. This represents a decrease of 8.8 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Nevertheless, the USA remained the top export destination ahead of the UK, Switzerland, China, and Turkey. The UK recorded €88.7 billion and a share of 13.8 percent.
The decline affects not only the USA. The EU also exported fewer goods to Turkey and China. Exports to Turkey fell by 8.2 percent, while those to China decreased by 7.9 percent. This indicates a broader trend: international goods trade is currently much more challenging for European exporters.
Imports also saw a downturn. The EU imported goods worth €627.8 billion in the first quarter. This corresponds to a decline of 3.3 percent compared to the previous year period. The main supplier remained China with €145.3 billion and a share of 23.1 percent. Following were the USA, the UK, Switzerland, and Turkey.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this development is more than just a statistic. A substantial drop in exports to the USA alters volumes, routes, capacities, and freight rates. This particularly affects sectors with substantial business in the USA, including engineering, vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and high-quality industrial products. The EU Council identifies medical devices and pharmaceutical products, road vehicles, and industrial machinery as key EU export categories to the USA.
Reuters had already pointed out in April that US tariffs and the strong year-over-year effect were burdening EU exports. In February 2026, EU exports to the USA had already fallen by 26.4 percent, after a decline of 27.8 percent in January. At the same time, Reuters emphasized that the comparison is distorted by the exceptionally high exports at the beginning of 2025.
The message for logistics is clear: trade conflicts do not only impact customs departments. They alter real goods flows. When companies pull forward, pause, or redistribute deliveries, shipping lines, airlines, freight forwarders, warehousers, and customs agents feel the impact directly.