The first estimate for the euro area (EA13) trade balance with the rest of the world in May 2007 gave a 1.7 bn euro surplus, compared with -3.9 bn in May 2006. The April 2007 balance was +2.3 bn, compared with -2.7 bn in April 2006. The first estimate for May 2007 extra-EU27 trade was a deficit of 15.0 bn euro, compared with -17.9 bn in May 2006. In April 2007, the balance was -13.9 bn, compared with -16.6 bn in April 2006.

EU27 January-April 2007 detailed results

The energy deficit decreased (-81.7 bn euro in January-April 2007 compared with -95.0 bn in January-April 2006), while the surpluses rose in the chemicals sector (+25.6 bn compared with +23.6 bn) and for machinery and vehicles (+34.7 bn compared with +26.4 bn).

EU27 trade with most of its major partners grew. The biggest increases were for exports to Russia (+29% in January-April 2007 compared with January-April 2006), India (+18%), South Korea (+13%), China (+12%), Norway and Brazil (both +11%), and for imports from China (+23%), Brazil (+17%) Turkey and India (both +14%).

The EU27 trade surplus decreased with the USA (+24.9 bn euro in January-April 2007 compared with +28.0 bn in January-April 2006) and remained nearly stable with Switzerland (+4.5 bn compared with +4.6 bn). The EU27 trade deficit grew with China (-49.9 bn compared with -38.8 bn) and Japan (-11.5 bn compared with -10.9 bn), but decreased with Russia (-19.3 bn compared with -27.2 bn), Norway (-11.1 bn compared with -15.1 bn) and South Korea (-4.6 bn compared to -5.3 bn).

Concerning the total trade of Member States, the largest surplus was observed in Germany (+63.4 bn euro in January-April 2007), followed by the Netherlands (+13.4 bn), Ireland (+10.0 bn), Sweden (+5.7 bn) and Belgium (+5.2 bn). The United Kingdom (-43.9 bn) registered the largest deficit, followed by Spain (-29.4 bn), Greece (-12.4 bn), France (-11.7 bn) and Italy (-7.0 bn).