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اقتصاد سكاي نيوز عربية
EU reports first trade deficit since 2023
The European Union recorded its first trade deficit in goods since the second quarter of 2023, with a deficit of 21.8 billion euros in the second quarter, compared to a surplus of 6.7 billion euros in the first quarter. The rise in energy import costs, especially oil and gas, significantly contributed to the increased deficit, as the energy trade gap grew from 71.3 billion euros to 101.1 billion euros. Imports of fuel from the United States also increased, rising from 19.8 billion euros to 29 billion euros. Conversely, exports rose by 34.9 billion euros, but this increase was not sufficient to offset the rising imports, which overall grew by 63.4 billion euros, particularly in chemical and food products. The trade deficit with China also widened by 2.9 billion euros, reaching 103.3 billion euros, as the deficit doubled over the past five years due to the influx of low-cost Chinese industrial products. Data indicate that the challenges facing European trade involve energy price volatility, geopolitical tensions, and increasing Chinese competition, with calls for tangible results to improve the trade balance with China and the United States.
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