Global markets
Keeping an eye on the latest trends in market access, market entry and market development
The world is changing fast - what was good practice yesterday may not be good practice tomorrow. The VDMA helps its members to keep track of the latest developments in global markets, customs, export financing, export controls and trade policy.
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We always report on changes to major embargoes or embargo changes with significant relevance for mechanical and plant engineering at short notice. Here is an overview of less relevant embargo changes since January 2025.
The tabular VDMA overview "Country-related embargoes" makes it easy to find out which countries are currently subject to EU embargo measures and what the current status of the embargo texts is.
Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector fell by 6% in real terms in April compared to the previous year. An expected setback, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.
In many countries, machine production developed better than expected in the first few months of the year.
The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains mixed. While India and Brazil are impressing with good figures, China is struggling with structural challenges. The USA is characterized by the latest tariff policy.
With effect from May 29, 2025, the EU has largely, but not completely, lifted its sanctions against Syria. This is in response to the change in US policy towards Syria announced by President Trump in Saudi Arabia.
This article provides an overview of the wide range of support available to German companies wishing to enter the African market. The overview is updated regularly, but does not claim to be exhaustive.
How well do you know the VDMA statistics database? And how often do you use it? Join us on a half-hour tour and get to know our wide range of data.
Letters of credit or advance payment are not very attractive in a competitive environment. Credit insurance for payment terms is an alternative. These are also an entry into export financing.
The majority of mechanical engineering companies are increasingly uncertain about the US market. An agreement on tariffs between the EU and the USA is now needed quickly. For the benefit of both sides.
Global machinery turnover is expected to grow by 1% in real terms in 2025 compared with the previous year, with significant differences in regional dynamics.
Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in the 1st quarter and especially in March increased sharply. However, this is only temporary due to major orders from the chemical, marine machinery and telecommunications sectors.
The mechanical engineering sector started the year with a subdued export result. March at least showed a slight upward trend. However, the weaknesses in the Chinese and EU markets remain serious.
The EU provides consolidated versions of its sanctions regulations. In the case of the Russia sanctions, the consolidated legal texts have now been updated to the 16th sanctions package.
On May 20, 2025, the EU published its 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The measures (5 amending regulations) all come into force on May 21, 2025. Some of the tightened sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.
Foreign exchange market was deregulated in March 2024. But expectations that exports would pick up afterwards were not fulfilled. VDMA members in Egypt nevertheless report good business.
Saudi Arabia in transition offers both challenges and opportunities. Local presence remains crucial, and not just because of increasing Chinese competition.
The EU-Commission launches public consultations on possible countermeasures in response to Trump's introduction of “reciprocal” tariffs and tariffs on cars and car parts from the EU.
The new Trump tariffs are not only raising costs for the machinery sector, but creating confusion and uncertainty among manufacturers that export to the United States.
The foreign trade department informs you about the latest developments in exports and supports you in accessing difficult markets. We support your international activities with offices worldwide and practical information.
In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development, as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a particular focus on machinery and equipment.
Budget 2025: Tech Industry bats for deeptech fund, tweaks in safe harbor rules ‘threshold
Organic fertilizer uses to add $2.6 billion (€2.298 billion) revenue: Indian Biogas Association
Planned investment of around Rs.50,000 crore (€ 5.22 billion) over next five years of inland waterways: Union Port, Shipping, and Waterways
Budget may trigger consumption revival as purchasing power increase for middle class: FMCG Companies
India ready to collaborate openly to build inclusive global energy future: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas
Regierung will Notbremsung in großen Personenkraftwagen einführen
19,826 km roads constructed so far under Bharatmala: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways
The VDMA is filling two key positions: Dr. Johannes Gernandt will become the association's Chief Economist, replacing Dr. Ralph Wiechers. Oliver Richtberg becomes the new Head of Foreign Trade, succeeding Ulrich Ackermann.
From August 28, 2025, many products in India will require a market access mark. The VDMA India webinar with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides an overview.
In light of Trump’s tariffs, analysts highlight ASEAN’s risks from trade tensions but remain optimistic about the region's resilience. Singapore’s semiconductor industry stays cautious, exporters diversify suppliers and customers amid uncertainties.
From 7-11th April Oliver Wack from VDMA Foreign Trade visited Japan. The main topic was to prepare VDMA President's Bertram Kawlath's visit to Japan in September.
Get an overview of the most important macroeconomic data for all countries in the world - including forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and information on the business environment.
The webinar on May 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., is the first in a series of events organized by the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE), VDMA e.V. and Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI).
The Shanghai-Germany Manufacturing Industry Exchange Dialogue was held on April 1, 2025, at Hannover Messe, co-organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government and VDMA.
"Navigate the Future of the 'Beverage' Industry" - drinktec Day & Press Conference is successfully held
Intercompany license agreements between the parent company in Germany/Europe and the subsidiary in China are of considerable importance in practice.
The trade fair year 2025 calls solution providers from the oil, gas and petrochemical industries to Baku, Tashkent, Milan and Abu Dhabi, among others. The program will be completed by privatly organised stands in Cairo and Beijing.
11 mandatory standards and 557 voluntary standards were approved in the past two months.
A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments.
The General Implementation Rule for China Product Carbon Footprint Labeling Certification (Trial) was released in March.
China's mandatory standard reform has shown results. Take the mandatory standard for woodworking machinery as an example.
New tariffs for European goods in trade with the USA.
We provide a download from Euler Hermes on the new possibilities of Hermes Cover. The file contains important details on company-related support.
The Hermes Annual Report for Export Credit Guarantees 2024 has been published. The figures show how relevant the protection of export receivables against crises is.
The EU is right to keep a cool head in response to US President Donald Trump's punitive tariffs. An open trade war would serve no one. However, the EU should use the momentum for new free trade agreements.
Sentiment in the mechanical engineering sector improved somewhat at the start of 2025, but remains very mixed. A majority of companies do not expect slight growth again until 2026.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides comprehensive employment and wage statistics. In our interactive report, we clearly present data by industry, occupational group and location.
The USA is much more than just a major sales market for industry in Europe. The change in trade policy under Donald Trump is hitting companies all the harder. Europe must now show unity and strength - in every respect.
EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.
US tariffs harm trade worldwide
Current activities in the agricultural context
Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural framework conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) finance numerous projects in developing and emerging countries worldwide.
Saudi Arabia is currently 20-30 percent self-sufficient in food. The country is only self-sufficient in some vegetables.
For two days, experts gathered in Würzburg for the Building Materials Plant Summit to discuss markets, technologies, and climate goals. Both research and industry agree that change is possible—and necessary.
Companies can register for the German Pavilion at Excon in Bangalore until August 9. India's largest trade fair will take place for the 12th time in December. India is the world's most dynamic market.
Despite a recovery at the start of the year, the outlook for China remains worrying. Electrification is driven forward on a big scale. VDMA met at Herrenknecht's impressive TBM plant in Guangzhou.
An industry expert of the Business Network Africa in Egypt identifies concrete business opportunities for German suppliers in the water industry.
For the orientation of VDMA member companies, the German Engineering Federation has created a new data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with Brazil.
VDMA Mining & Minerals is the sponsor of the trip to Angola from 18 to 22 August 2025 for German companies and multipliers from the mining and raw materials sectors.
At 10.3 per cent of German export market share, Guinea recorded the highest increase in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
The VDMA informs its members twice a year about the development of the chemical industry in Brazil, China, France, Turkey, the USA and the United Kingdom.
The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an overall increase in orders of 4% - the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing increase in orders of 4%.
With an update every two months, which is exclusively available for download to VDMA member companies, we provide you with up-to-date information on German exports of water and wastewater technology.
Start of successful association networking. Despite difficult circumstances, bauma 2025 attracts its first visitors from Ukraine - in search of strong German partners in mechanical engineering.
The calls for tenders for a 3rd tranche 2025 in the BMWK market development program have been published online on the website of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).
What challenges do machine manufacturers face when exporting to Asia - and how does the VDMA provide support?
From 23 to 28 March 2025, the AHK Southern Africa organized a business initiation trip to South Africa on behalf of the BMWK and in cooperation with the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and SBS systems for business solutions GmbH.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan still have many good projects up their sleeves. Kazakhstan plans to expand its role in the global production of rare metals and earths.
Beyond the political noise, USA remains the largest market for German machinery export.
This year, Germany will once again be represented with a joint booth at the two glass industry trade fairs in Mumbai.
The economic outlook for the region remains good, although it appears that sales of mining equipment declined in 2024 compared to 2023.
The VDMA Mining & Minerals delegation to China in March 2025 began its trip with a visit to the JINGANG Group in Jinan.
Increasing trade barriers, sanctions and isolation - anyone wanting to do business internationally these days is confronted with high hurdles and conditions in many places.
What impact will tariff decisions have on transatlantic relations or the global agricultural machinery trade? And how will the EU's change of course away from the Green Deal affect our industry?
Business relationships with South Africa are already well established among many VDMA members.
The VDMA supports ways to make sustainable use of market opportunities in Ukraine and for Ukraine.
"Poland is a real dairy country. More than six million cattle are currently kept between the Carpathian Mountains and the Baltic Sea".
In Central Asia and the South Caucasus, construction is booming thanks to government investment. At the same time, Ukraine needs more than 500 billion euros for reconstruction over the next 10 years - an enormous potential for mechanical engineering.
Last year, agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers in Germany recorded a noticeable double-digit decline in sales.
Manufacturers of industrial valves are facing new challenges in 2025. So far, foreign business has provided positive impetus, but now empty order books and uncertain forecasts are dampening the mood.
Turnover in the building valves industry will stagnate in 2024, and foreign business will also remain weak. A slight recovery is expected in 2025. But above all, the industry needs better location conditions.
The right conditions are crucial for renewed growth. bauma 2025, the world's leading trade fair for the sector, will provide the impetus.
Current forecasts, key figures and background information on agricultural framework conditions, business and market development - worldwide, in Europe and in Germany.
An industry expert from the Africa Business Network in South Africa identifies specific business opportunities for German suppliers for a circular economy. One focus is also on projects in the water industry.
The EU and the Philippines announced the resumption of trade negotiations in 2024. VDMA prepared a document with the most important demands for the negotiating teams, e.g. the abolition of all tariffs.
After stagnating at a level of between 400 and 500 million euros in the last decade, German mechanical engineering exports to Kazakhstan have almost doubled to 900 million euros in 2023.
Here you will find short economic profiles of countries which are in the special focus of the world economy and which are not without importance for the valve industry.
The mechanical engineering sector is calling for a reform of export financing to strengthen competitiveness and promote a level playing field.
Every year, more than 600 VDMA members supply process technology components and systems to 150 countries around the world. Here you will find the current process technology trade fair lists.
VDMA Construction Equipment and VDMA Mining & Minerals leverage diplomatic linkages for market expansion.
glasspex/glasspro 2025: Opening with VDMA Symposium
Due to the positive development tendencies in India, we have decided to establish our own management meetings for the Indian market.
The 27th International Congress on Glass (ICG) will take place in Kolkata from January 20–24, 2025.
From May 19 to 23, 2025, the AHK Portugal is organizing a business initiation to Portugal on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. It is part of the market development program for SMEs.
From March 31 to April 4, 2025, trAIDe GmbH is conducting a business initiation to Colombia on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. It is part of the market development program for SMEs.
For the guidance of member companies, the VDMA Process Equipment and Machinery Association has updated a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with Portugal.
For the first time, a German Pavilion was organised, which was prominently showcased with 19 exhibitors and met with great interest from trade fair visitors.
Exclusively for our members: the March issue of the India Report.
Events
In light of the ongoing challenges with the Trump tariff landscape, the VDMA will host the web event "Deep Dive into U.S. Customs: Answers to Your Toughest Questions" on Thursday, June 5, at 3:00pm CET.
Explore the complex aspects of the origin of goods and preferences. This web-event is designed for professionals with a basic understanding of the subject who wish to expand their expertise.
Attractive market opportunities are opening up for European mechanical engineering companies in Kazakhstan. Take the opportunity to get compact information and exchange ideas.
What do you currently have to be prepared for in the areas of customs and export control?
What do you currently have to be prepared for in the areas of customs and export control?
The geopolitical uncertainties
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