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04/03/2008: "Germany World Export Leader, Ahead of Even China, for the Fifth Year Running"

Last year manufacturing output grew by more than 6%. Exports rose more than 8%, making Germany the world export leader, ahead of even China, for the fifth year running, with total trade of €969 billion (£758 billion). Overall, the German economy expanded in 2007 by 2.5%, with external trade accounting for 1.4% of this growth.

It could be argued that, 20 years after the end of communism, in terms of trade the old 19th century map of Europe is once more beginning to emerge, with Germany at the centre and Russia an increasingly significant trading partner. Throw in the German federal budget surplus of €200m and suddenly it seems the Germans are sitting pretty, astride Europe and conquering the world.

Germany’s manufacturing might is down to family-owned firms that do not subscribe to Anglo-Saxon notions of “shareholder value”. They are paternal towards their workforces, the products they make, the interests of their customers and the sustainability of their companies.

[ All of this manufacture/consumption is killing the planet, but it is interesting to see Germany defeating competitors like the Chinese still. Germany has to make huge contributions to the EU budget so other nations benefit from their prosperity, plus the globalist loyalties of their government mean ridiculous acts of inappropriate generosity over the world. ]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article3644997.ece