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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Canada wants to expand its economic partnerships - an opportunity for Europe. It is crucial that the CETA free trade agreement is finally implemented in full.
If export goods are not delivered, there is a risk of high losses - especially for custom-made products. Hermes Cover protects against losses due to sanctions or geopolitical conflicts, among other things.
From the VDMA's perspective, visa policy and technical interfaces are among the top issues for German-Brazilian cooperation in mechanical engineering. The German-Brazilian Business Days provide an opportunity for exchange.
Chinese companies often enjoy competition-distorting advantages and subsidies. In a new position paper, the VDMA makes demands on German and European politicians to counteract these disadvantages.
29 mandatory standards/Amendments and 297 voluntary standards/Amendments were approved in the past two months.
A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments.
2025 Chinese Legislative Work Plan was released. The Product Quality Law was not listed.
The Chinese Administrative Measures for the Adoption of International Standards has been revised to promote the adoption of international standards.
The first humanoid robot certification in China is underway.
The new Chinese export controls on rare earths and some products made from them are increasingly becoming a massive problem. China cannot keep up with issuing the export licenses that are now required.
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 for machine tools from China rose by 27.9% (YoY) to 34 billion yen in April, marking the 13th consecutive month of growth. The lively investment activity of local manufacturers continues.
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.
The obligation to comply with energy efficiency standards for newly established data centers is being discussed.
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.
On 17 June 2025, the meeting of the Steering Committee Asia took place at Wirtgen GmbH in Windhagen and was a major networking event. Various important topics were discussed.
The 6th edition of the VDMA Technology Guide Oil Gas Petrochemicals with focus on Net-Zero Solutions for energy-intensive Industries. Are you among the Who's Who of European process technology suppliers?
Europe's construction industry is recovering - thanks to stable prices, better financing and EU funding. Residential construction will be the most important driver in future, with significant growth. In Germany, however, this will not become a reality until 2027 at the earliest.
MOTA 2025 is your gateway to thriving in Africa’s rapidly evolving mining landscape.
Here you will find an updated overview of the progress of the project after the third face-to-face meeting on 12.03.202 (update no. 4).
On May 29, 2025, more than 50 industry experts met at the VDMA China Management Meeting at ebm-papst in Shanghai to exchange views on current topics such as intelligent manufacturing and export controls.
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with India and with key data on India's water sector.
A new industry expert from the Africa Business Network in Côte d'Ivoire has been identifying specific business opportunities for German providers of environmental technologies since November 2024. One focus is on projects in the water sector.
The publication provides an overview of CECE's activities. It shows the topics with which the CECE is involved at European and international level.
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.
Events
The Chinese mechanical equipment industry becomes increasingly competitive and expands into third markets, including the EU. These export activities are significantly supported by the Chinese administration and this development poses new challenges for European mechanical equipment manufacturers. What could be effective responses to this trend?
The "export manager" of a company is responsible for the organization and monitoring of export controls within the company. According to the German government's principles on the reliability of exporters, this function must be assigned to the first management level (management board).
We cordially invite you to the VDMA web event: Crisis preparedness when sending employees to the Gulf region on June 25, 2025, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Q&A session on export control: legal situation, internal implementation, BAFA procedure. Participants determine the specific content themselves by submitting questions in advance.
“Partnering for Prosperity: Maximising the Benefits of Africa’s Geological Endowments” MOTA 2025 offers a high-level platform for stakeholders across the mining and engineering ecosystems to engage in meaningful dialogue, forge partnerships, and unlock new business opportunities. This year’s theme emphasizes strategic cooperation to harness Africa’s rich mineral resources for shared prosperity.
Current figures and market assessments: what opportunities are opening up for mechanical and plant engineering in India?
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