The euro area recorded a trade deficit of €16.1 billion in August 2026, reversing a €502 million surplus in the same month a year earlier and marking the largest deficit since January 2023.
Imports jumped 16.7% year-on-year to €243.8 billion, the second‑highest August level on record after 2022. The war in the Middle East and the resulting blockade of tankers leaving the Persian Gulf drove up purchases of petroleum and petroleum products by 20.7% to €27 billion. Chemical imports increased 11.2% to €29.8 billion, while imports of manufactured goods surged 12.7% to €169.3 billion.
Exports rose 9.9% to €227.7 billion, supported by higher foreign sales of manufactured goods, which were up 5.9% to €179.3 billion. Exports to the United States reached €39.3 billion, an 18.5% year‑on‑year increase, reflecting some stabilization in bilateral trade following the series of tariffs imposed by the US last year.
