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EU-U.S. Trade In 2025: Surpluses, Shifting Flows And Strategic Ties

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 27, 2026

Trade Overview And Robust Growth

In 2025, the European Union exported goods worth €554.0 billion to the United States and imported €354.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €199.6 billion. Exports increased 3.4% year over year, while imports rose 4.8%, reflecting continued strength in transatlantic trade flows.

Fluctuating Quarterly Trends

Trade activity varied across the year. The first quarter recorded strong growth in both exports and imports, supported by higher demand in U.S. markets. The second quarter showed a decline, followed by limited recovery in imports during the third quarter, while exports edged lower. By the fourth quarter, both exports and imports declined, indicating softer momentum toward year-end.

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Sectoral Highlights And Product Leadership

According to the Standard International Trade Classification, the five largest product groups accounted for 53.0% of EU exports to the United States. Medicinal and pharmaceutical products led with a 29.0% share, followed by road vehicles (7.5%), general industrial machinery and equipment (5.9%), electrical machinery and parts (5.8%), and power-generating machinery (4.8%).

On the import side, medicinal and pharmaceutical products also ranked first at 17.0%, followed by petroleum and related materials (11.2%), power-generating machinery and equipment (9.4%), natural and manufactured gas (7.9%), and other transport equipment (6.6%).

Foreign Direct Investment And Geopolitical Connectivity

The scale of EU-U.S. trade highlights the strategic importance of the American market for Europe and its broader investment links. Data from the Central Bank of Cyprus show that the United States remained one of Cyprus’ key foreign direct investment partners in 2024, alongside major European economies.

The report notes that while Europe remained Cyprus’ largest FDI partner overall, net FDI stock declined due to a sharper reduction in outward investment, primarily linked to equity instruments and, to a lesser extent, debt instruments.

Special purpose entities continued to influence investment flows, contributing to parallel movements in inward and outward FDI. Despite negative net FDI transactions and income in 2024, inward and outward rates of return improved to 7.8% from 6.7% a year earlier, reinforcing Cyprus’ role as a regional financial services hub.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Greek Retail Powerhouse Expands Into Six Strategic International Markets

Greek retail titan Jumbo has announced an ambitious expansion strategy that positions the company to extend its international footprint beyond its established strongholds in Cyprus and Southeast Europe. In a strategic agreement with the Balfin Group, the retailer is set to penetrate six new markets, including Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Strategic Global Expansion

The agreement builds on the existing cooperation between Jumbo and Balfin Group, which previously supported the retailer’s expansion into markets including Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Moldova. According to the company, the next phase of expansion will include a greater degree of local operational management across the new markets.

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Enhanced Logistics And Supply Chain Capabilities

To support the expanded international network, Balfin Group is also developing a new central logistics hub in China. The facility is expected to strengthen sourcing, warehousing, transportation and distribution operations across the Caucasus region, Central Asia and Ukraine. Previously, Jumbo relied primarily on logistics infrastructure based in Greece to support franchise operations across Southeast Europe.

Sustainable Growth And Robust Financial Foundation

Alongside its franchise expansion strategy, Jumbo continues focusing on organic growth across existing markets. The retailer currently operates 89 physical stores, including 53 in Greece, six in Cyprus, 10 in Bulgaria and 20 in Romania, in addition to its e-commerce operations. A new store in Baia Mare is expected to open by the end of October.

Jumbo also operates 46 franchise stores across seven countries, including Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Israel. According to the company, its expansion strategy continues to be supported by strong liquidity levels and the absence of bank borrowing.