27.03.2025 - Global trade is undergoing a fundamental transformation, heavily impacting German companies. Protectionist tendencies are omnipresent, increasingly complicating foreign trade. Higher tariffs, counter-tariffs, stricter certification requirements, and new regulations put companies under pressure. A majority of businesses have noted a significant increase in trade barriers in their international operations over the past weeks and months. Consequently, the anticipated export upswing is suppressed: Business prospects improve slightly but remain in the negative territory. This is evident in the latest “Going International 2025” survey conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) among nearly 2,600 internationally active companies based in Germany.

The level of trade barriers remains high globally. Over the past twelve months, more than half of internationally active companies (58 percent) reported additional trade barriers. Particularly local certification requirements (59 percent) and heightened security standards (45 percent) complicate planning and increase costs. Additionally, sanctions, opaque legislation, higher tariffs, and local-content requirements exacerbate challenges.

Significant differences between world regions are shaping the international operations of German businesses. North America, in particular, is emerging as a problematic region. "The growing trade barriers and protectionist signals from Washington are causing great concern among our businesses," says Volker Treier, Head of Foreign Trade at DIHK. 70 percent of companies anticipate negative impacts of U.S. trade policies on their operations. Last year, the USA was regarded as a beacon of hope. Now, the situation for German companies with U.S. operations has worsened most significantly. The uncertainty spurred by U.S. trade policies is reverberating across all world regions. Despite slight upward trends, business forecasts for the current year remain negative in nearly all regions. The anticipated upswing is stalled by widespread uncertainties. What held true for many business relationships yesterday needs reassessment today.

Challenges vary significantly for German companies depending on the world region. In the USA, higher tariffs already burden half of the companies – last year, this was 24 percent. In China, compulsory local content is particularly cited as an obstacle (44 percent). Even trade within the Eurozone faces various barriers, especially bureaucratic ones: 55 percent of companies complain about a lack of transparency in legislation, 52 percent report difficulties accessing public tenders, and 50 percent identify local certification requirements as problematic. Sanctions continue to especially affect operations in Russia, where 78 percent of impacted businesses feel their consequences.

Germany and Europe also add self-induced obstacles, further burdening international trade. "We are increasingly witnessing how regulations from Germany and Europe are complicating international operations," says Treier. Four out of five companies (83 percent) report challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and uncertainties regarding compliance with due diligence laws like the LkSG (Supply Chain Act), packaging directive requirements, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Long approval times at the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) continue to pose challenges for 43 percent of businesses – albeit notably less than the previous year's 57 percent. Simplifications already underway are proving impactful here.

Given global challenges, there is a pressing need to speed up trade agreements and clear away bureaucratic hurdles. "Our companies desperately require clear frameworks that open up market opportunities and ensure long-term security," emphasizes Treier. "If we don't relieve businesses in their value creation at home, we will continue to lose ground internationally."

Treier urges swift action: Trade barriers in foreign trade must be dismantled sooner rather than later. The global environment is challenging enough – additional bureaucracy cannot be afforded."