Markets & Economy - vdma.org

The Economics and Statistics department provides you with all industry-relevant economic and market information. Benefit from our expertise and use our statistics as a basis for smart business decisions.

VDMA Foreign Trade supports you and your export business. We prepare topics relevant to mechanical engineering for you: up-to-date and easy to understand.

China has developed rapidly and, as a result, undergone considerable change. This has an impact on the economic and political environment to which the machinery and plant engineering industry cannot close its eyes.

Registration procedures, procedure for work up to 90 days and wage calculation: VDMA info sheet provides practical tips for optimal planning of work assignments in Switzerland.

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued the final rules that prohibit the sale or import of vehicles equipped with hardware or software associated with Chinese or Russian-controlled entities.

On the initiative of the VDMA Forum Process Technology, several water trade fairs have once again made it into the German government's foreign trade fair program in 2025. The destinations are not just in the east and the west.

Donald Trump's economic program could be a test of strength for Europe. This makes it all the more important that the EU now acts as one, especially on trade issues.

We have updated our interactive report on foreign affiliates.

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.

Exports by German mechanical engineering companies fell by a nominal 5.6% to EUR 182.9 billion in the first eleven months of 2024.

In our theme publications, you will find facts, figures and data related to vocational training, engineering courses, skilled workers, mechanical engineers and women in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

How many apprenticeship positions are currently available? How many applicants are there? How have supply and demand for the most important professions developed in recent years? Get all the information at a glance here.

Overview of the VDMA's foreign trade policy activities in 2024 - a review of the year

The implementation of reporting obligations for work assignments in Europe is a major challenge for many VDMA member companies.

A small ray of hope in orders from eurozone countries in November does not change the overall weather situation: orders in the mechanical engineering sector are not gaining momentum.

In the EU, the negative trend in mechanical and plant engineering continues. In the US and Japan, an end to the downturn is looming. In China, the industry is growing, but still only at a slow pace.

The USA is an important market for the German mechanical engineering industry. Despite protectionist tendencies, the dynamic remains positive; with the potential of headwinds. The VDMA calls for close EU-US relations and rejects tariffs.

At the end of 2024, Switzerland and the EU managed to redefine their relations. It is questionable whether the necessary referendum in Switzerland will accept the rules.

Are you planning a visit to the Hannover Messe? The VDMA is offering you exclusive free tickets for your visit.

2025 is the year in which Germany must set the course for growth and competitiveness. It needs more courage to ensure freedom and rapid political reforms.

Despite falling interest rates worldwide, a broad-based upturn is not in sight. Military conflicts and de-globalization continue to weigh on business in many specialist areas of mechanical engineering.

In the first nine months of 2024, price-adjusted production in the EU machinery and equipment manufacturing industry shrank by 7 percent year-on-year.

Deutsche Messe AG provides active support in making travel arrangements and booking accommodation for trade fairs in Hanover. The various offers are bundled at get2fairs.com.

The VDMA Dubai meeting was characterized by a positive mood - driven by current business as well as business expectations. Nevertheless, there are challenges.

Global machinery turnover is expected to rise by 1 percent in real terms in 2025. The forecast uncertainty is high in view of intensifying trade conflicts.

VDMA member companies see the US market as an opportunity and are cautiously optimistic about the coming years. Many are building on good or even very good competitiveness, but this must be defended.

The U.S. Census Bureau has published new figures from the industry statistics by region. They provide information on turnover, value added and the number of employees, among other things. We present this data clearly in an interactive report.

The EU Commission agrees to postpone the Deforestation Regulation by one year following massive criticism.

The EU Commission has published the Combined Nomenclature (commodity codes) for the year 2025. There are only a few changes for mechanical engineering.

Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.

The EU-Mercosur agreement must now become a reality as quickly as possible. It is an important signal against isolationism and must not be called into question again in the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Service providers offer discounted conditions - exclusively for VDMA members.

Demographic change, a shortage of skilled workers, unfilled training positions - these are often the predominant issues in Germany when it comes to recruitment. But what is it like in other countries? We asked around locally.

Order books in the mechanical engineering sector remain weak, with 9% fewer orders booked in October than in the previous year. Customers remain hesitant to make new investments

Work assignments in Europe: Which reporting requirements apply in which country? Information sheets as a practical aid for VDMA members.

The business climate in India and Brazil remains positive. Significant sales growth is expected in both countries for the current year 2024 as well as for 2025.

India remains an attractive growth market for the mechanical engineering sector. Numerous local German companies are looking to expand, according to the latest VDMA survey.

A weak global economy and many structural problems at home are weighing on the export business in the mechanical engineering sector. Exports fell by a good 5 percent in the first nine months.

VDMA supports companies in opening up international markets by participating in trade fairs, among other things. In addition to its own trade fair stands in Germany, it offers companies the opportunity to exhibit at group stand (German Pavilions).

The EU-Commission has given the go-ahead for a single EU-wide digital declaration portal for the posting of workers. VDMA expressly welcomes this first step towards reducing bureaucracy.

he posting of employees in Europe must not be a bureaucratic madness. The EU Commission's proposal for an eDeclaration is right, but further measures must follow.

The U.S. government has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would prohibit the importation of vehicles equipped with Chinese or Russian hardware or software.

Valdis Dombrovskis is to take on a decisive portfolio in the EU Commission. There are still no concrete proposals for better regulation that could signal real change.

Donald Trump's second term in office will be a greater challenge for the mechanical engineering industry than his first presidency. The USA remains an attractive market, but Trump's tariff plans will have a noticeable impact on trade.

Foreign guests face various challenges when applying for a visa and entering Germany. Inviting companies can support them.

The U.S. Department of Treasury issued the final rule restricting certain investments in the Chinese semiconductor and microelectronics, quantum computing and artificial intelligence sectors.

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

The order situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains weak, particularly in Germany. However, companies are also still waiting for new investment momentum in global business.

On October 28, the Russian central bank raised the key interest rate to 21 percent. At the same time, it indicated that the interest rate could soon rise even higher. The reasons are high inflation and the overheated economy.

This overview highlights the key differences and similarities between the trade policy of the two U.S. presidential candidates.