EU Trade Surplus Falls To €128 Billion In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 27, 2026

The European Union recorded a €128 billion goods trade surplus in 2025, down €8 billion from 2024, according to Eurostat. Data reflect changes across sectors and trading partners. Trend follows a period of volatility in recent years. Trade balance remains positive despite shifts in energy and manufacturing.

Overview Of Trade Performance

Despite an overall positive trend over the past decade, the EU experienced a notable deviation in 2022 with a trade deficit driven by stark energy imbalances. In every other year since 2015, including 2025, the Union maintained a robust trade surplus, underscoring its resilience in the face of fluctuating market conditions.

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Sectoral Trends And Insights

Machinery, vehicles and chemicals remained the main contributors to the surplus. These sectors offset deficits from energy imports. Surplus in chemicals increased from €128.3 billion in 2015 to €256.7 billion in 2025. Food and drink rose from €32.0 billion to €39.7 billion, while other goods increased from €9.5 billion to €20.7 billion. Other manufactured goods moved into deficit. The energy trade gap widened due to price volatility.

Global Trading Partners

The United States remained the largest export market for the EU in 2025, accounting for €554.9 billion, or 21.0% of total exports. Value increased by 3.6% compared to 2024. The United Kingdom followed with €345.5 billion, or 13.1%, while Switzerland accounted for €219.5 billion, or 8.3%.

On the import side, China was the largest supplier, with imports reaching €559.4 billion, or 22.3% of the total, up 6.4% year-on-year. The United States and the United Kingdom ranked among the top import partners. Data reflect continued concentration of trade flows among major economies.

Focused Analysis: EU-Australia Trade

The EU recorded a €26.7 billion trade surplus with Australia. Exports reached €36.9 billion in 2025, down 4.9% year-on-year but up 39.6% since 2015. Imports totaled €10.2 billion, slightly lower than in 2024 but nearly 50% higher over the longer term. Trade remains concentrated in a limited number of product categories. Key export groups accounted for nearly half of the total value. Imports were driven by commodities including coal and oilseeds.

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Meta’s $18 Billion Settlement Limits State Claims Over Children’s Data

by News Editor

August 28, 2026

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

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