Local certification requirements and heightened security regulations are making it increasingly difficult for companies to plan and are raising operational costs.

A recent survey by the German chamber of commerce DIHK reveals that rising trade barriers are complicating foreign business for German companies, particularly in the United States.

Over the past year, more than half of the surveyed companies reported encountering additional trade barriers in international markets, signaling a concerning trend towards protectionism.

Volker Treier, head of foreign trade at DIHK, voiced his concerns about the negative impact of protectionist signals from Washington on German businesses.

Only 15% of the surveyed companies expect an improvement in their foreign business this year, while 23% anticipate a further decline.

For 2025, DIHK forecasts a decline in exports, with Treier suggesting that the previously estimated 1% drop may now be overly optimistic due to new tariffs.

The recently announced 25% tariff on imported vehicles by Donald Trump is expected to adversely affect both European and U.S. economies, leading to calls for urgent negotiations to prevent escalating trade conflicts.

Currently, 70% of surveyed German firms anticipate negative impacts from U.S. trade policy, a stark contrast to the previous year when the U.S. was seen as a positive market.

Half of the German companies operating in the U.S. are now facing challenges due to higher tariffs, a significant increase from 24% the previous year.

In the U.S., 50% of companies are already feeling the pressure from new tariffs, up from 25% the previous year, indicating growing burdens.

The survey, which included nearly 2,600 internationally active German companies, was conducted prior to Trump's tariff announcement, which DIHK fears could worsen the business outlook for German exporters.

Key challenges for these companies include local certification requirements, increased security regulations, and mandatory local production quotas, all of which drive up costs and complicate planning.