Business Survey - Going International 2025

This report outlines the key findings on the current state of global trade and business dynamics. It highlights the increasing trade barriers worldwide, with a particular focus on the effects of US trade policies, and examines the challenges faced by businesses in Germany and the EU. Additionally, the report provides an overview of business situations and perspectives across different global regions, offering insights into the evolving landscape of international trade.

The main results

1. The global business outlook for the coming year has improved slightly compared to the previous year. The hoped-for upturn in the global economy is being suppressed by major trade policy uncertainty in North America and structural challenges such as certification requirements and regulations. In view of the trade policy signals from the USA, expectations for business in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) are collapsing. By contrast, expectations for the rest of the world are brightening - but remain negative on balance.
    
2. German companies are confronted with more and more trade barriers in their international business. The level of new trade barriers remains very high. 58 per cent of companies have registered an increase in trade barriers in their international business over the past twelve months. Companies are particularly concerned about local certification requirements and stricter security requirements, which increase the planning and cost burden for cross-border trade. Added to this are sanctions, particularly in business with Russia, non-transparent legislation, higher customs duties and local content regulations.
    
3. The challenges for German companies vary considerably depending on the region of the world. In the USA, half of companies already see new tariffs as a burden - compared to 24 per cent in the previous year. In China, the need for local content in particular is cited as an obstacle (44 per cent). Trade within the eurozone is also hindered by various obstacles, especially bureaucratic ones: 55 per cent of companies criticise legislation that is not transparent for them, 52 per cent report more difficult access to public contracts and 50 per cent see local certification requirements as a problem. Sanctions continue to have a particular impact on business with Russia, where 78 per cent of affected companies feel their influence.
    
4. Domestic trade barriers from Germany and Europe are becoming increasingly important. 80 per cent of companies report domestic challenges in international business. Of these, 83 per cent complain about bureaucratic hurdles and uncertainty in the implementation of regulations, such as the Supply Chain Sustainability Act (LkSG), the requirements of the Packaging Directive or the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). 43 per cent have problems in processing their foreign business, for example due to long approval times from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) or complex customs clearance procedures.
    
5. German companies are currently benefiting little from the robust growth of the global economy. This is reflected in the global business perspectives. 23 per cent of companies anticipate a deterioration in foreign business in the current year, while only 15 per cent expect an improvement. On balance, internationally active companies do not have positive business expectations for the coming twelve months in any region of the world, although the outlook has improved compared to the previous year. While the business outlook for the current year is largely assessed less pessimistically than before, the current business situation remains poor.