The European Union’s high-tech trade balance swung firmly into positive territory last year, generating a €32.4 billion surplus on record import and export volumes.
Eurostat data show the bloc imported €534.1 billion worth of high-tech goods in 2025 while exporting €566.5 billion. This marks a second consecutive annual surplus following four straight years of deficits between 2020 and 2023.
Since 2015, high-tech imports have climbed roughly 6% annually, adding €239.9 billion over the decade. Exports grew even faster at 7% per year, rising by €265.4 billion. Production tells a similar story. EU manufacturers turned out €532 billion in high-tech products in 2025, up from €287 billion a decade earlier.
China and the United States dominated the import landscape. Together they accounted for more than half of all high-tech goods entering the EU: China supplied 28% (€150.4 billion), while the US delivered 25% (€131.4 billion). Switzerland ranked third at 6% (€32.6 billion).
The composition varied sharply by partner. Chinese shipments concentrated on electronics and telecommunications, making up 48% of its total, alongside computers and office machines at 31%. American exports skewed toward aerospace (36%) and pharmaceuticals (33%). Swiss imports consisted overwhelmingly of drugs, at 71%.
Meanwhile, the United States remained the EU’s largest export destination by far, absorbing 34% of high-tech shipments (€195.1 billion). The United Kingdom followed with 9% (€52.5 billion), edging out China at 8% (€48.1 billion).
Pharmaceuticals powered EU exports to America, representing 62% of the total, with aerospace contributing another 12%. Shipments to the UK showed more balance: pharmaceuticals led at 23%, while aerospace and electronics-telecommunications each held 19%, and scientific instruments reached 13%. A similar pattern emerged in exports to China, where electronics-telecommunications topped the list at 30%, followed by aerospace at 27%, scientific instruments at 20%, and pharmaceuticals at 13%.
Eurostat published the figures as part of its latest international trade statistics. The continued surplus suggests EU high-tech exporters have consolidated gains made since 2024, though reliance on China for electronics imports remains a structural feature of the bloc’s trade profile.
