AsianFin -- The United States relies more heavily on imports from the European Union than widely perceived, with the EU surpassing China in both total import value and the number of product categories, a new study by Germany’s IW economic institute reveals.

Over the past 15 years, U.S. dependence on EU goods has grown substantially. In 2024, there were over 3,100 product groups for which at least 50% of imports originated from the EU, up from just over 2,600 in 2010, according to IW.

The report highlights sectors including chemicals, electrical goods, machinery, and equipment, with the total import value of these EU goods reaching $287 billion—nearly 2.5 times higher than in 2010.

These findings suggest that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could have had a stronger negotiating position in tariff discussions with Washington, which resulted in a baseline U.S. tariff rate of 15% on most EU exports.

The study underscores the strategic economic interdependence between the U.S. and EU, showing that transatlantic trade extends well beyond headline-grabbing imports from China.

As U.S. policymakers continue to navigate trade tensions and supply chain security, the research points to the EU’s critical role in sustaining American manufacturing and technology sectors.

IW’s analysis signals that understanding these deeper trade relationships is essential for future tariff negotiations, industrial policy, and economic planning on both sides of the Atlantic.