The export figures for the first half of 2026 for the German mechanical and plant engineering sector are mixed. Exports fell by 0.8 percent nominally compared to the previous year, or by 2.5 percent in real terms. A total of €99.3 billion worth of machinery and equipment was exported. Machinery imports rose by 2.2 percent nominally to €47.9 billion during the same period. "Geopolitical tensions, US tariff policy, and the continued weakness of the Chinese market weighed on machinery exports in the first half of the year. However, a largely stable second quarter and, in particular, the strong export increase of 6.8 percent in June limited the half-year decline to 0.8 percent," commented VDMA economic expert Anke Uhlig on the export results for the first half of the year.