04.09.2026 – “Incoming orders have risen to their highest level since the end of last year, which is good news. Unfortunately, however, this does not point to improved competitiveness of German industry, nor to a self-sustaining economic upswing. The increase in orders is once again driven by volatile large-scale orders in the defence sector. The foreign business outlook remains mixed. While orders from the Eurozone are increasing significantly, overall orders from the rest of the world are unfortunately declining. The trade conflict with the USA, the Middle East conflict, and increasing competitive pressure from China are making life difficult for German exporters.”