Container ships are seen at the loading terminal “Altenwerder” in the port of Hamburg, Germany, February 17, 2025. REUTERS
BERLIN, Feb 24 (Reuters) – The mood among German exporters improved in February, a survey by the Ifo economic institute showed on Tuesday, but the latest changes to U.S. tariffs create new uncertainty, it added.
The institute’s index for export expectations rose to 2.6 points this month from -0.8 in January, with manufacturers of electronic and optical products in particular becoming more optimistic about sales abroad.
“The export economy is starting the new year with some tailwind,” said Timo Wollmershaeuser, chief economist at the institute. However, he said there was still no sign of a broad-based recovery.
“The latest decisions on U.S. customs policy are causing new uncertainty,” he added. “If customs regulations are constantly changing, it makes planning difficult for companies.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to strike down a large swathe of President Donald Trump’s tariffs led Trump to slap a new 10% tariff on imports, which he then raised to 15%.
Reporting by Linda Pasquini; Editing by Susan Fenton
