France and Germany, leading economic partners

The economic links between France and Germany are particularly strong and enduring one. Indeed, Germany remains by far France’s leading trading partner.

20/01/2023

According to French Customs Authority data from 2021, Franco-German trade accounts for 13.9% of France’s total trade, compared with 8% with its other partners, such as China, Italy or Belgium.

 

In 2021, Germany regained its position as France’s leading foreign investor, with nearly 300 projects and 8,000 jobs created or maintained, equivalent to 18% of all foreign projects and jobs recorded. Unsurprisingly, it is the leading investor to create jobs in manufacturing activities. The presence of German companies in France is significant, with more than 3,000 subsidiaries present in the country, subsidiaries which employ nearly 325,000 people.

 

In 2021, Germany remained the leading destination market for French goods exports, with some 40,609 French firms having exported to Germany, amounting to €68.9 billion, equivalent to more than 14% of French exports. The country represents an essential market for SMEs and mid-sized companies looking to export. The German market remains the leading destination market for French exports (14.2%).

 

Germany is the European country for which the most French SMEs and mid-size companies have requested support from Business France.

 

Business France supported nearly 900 interns for the VIE International Internship Program working in Germany in 2022 on behalf of 223 French companies, the fourth largest contingent for the Business France network, after Belgium, the United States and Canada. Some 9,388 VIE interns have completed their mission in Germany since the program was created.

 

The VIE International Internship Program, which offers participants a unique status in the world, enables young people to carry out a professional assignment abroad and gives French companies the human resources to develop their export activities.

 

“As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, it’s worth remembering that the Franco-German relationship is a priority for France. The economic ties that unite our two countries are strong and there are numerous synergies. The challenges that we face force us to re‑invent and renew ourselves, to stay focused on tomorrow. This is the meaning behind the “France 2030” plan, where German companies that have chosen France have their own place here.”

Laurent Saint-Martin, Chief Executive Officer at Business France.

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