Global markets - vdma.eu
Global markets
Keeping an eye on the latest trends in market access, market entry and market development
The world is changing fast - what was good practice yesterday may not be good practice tomorrow. The VDMA helps its members to keep track of the latest developments in global markets, customs, export financing, export controls and trade policy.
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Latest Important Industrial News from India
Latest Update on Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry in India
The VDMA has kicked off a series of visits to Washington to lobby the Trump Administration directly on the issue of tariffs. The focus is on tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives.
Latest Happening in Indian Textile Industry
Latest News from Port and Shipping Industry in India
Latest News from Food and Beverage Industry in India
Latest News on Indian Power Sector
News of Automobile Industry in India
Infrastructure Scenario in Present India
The European machinery industry needs a comprehensive and reliable customs agreement between the EU and the USA. The goal should be a uniform tariff cap of a maximum of 10 percent for all EU products.
Economic Scenario of India
With their ratification, Argentina and Uruguay have cleared the way for the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur states. The EU should decide as quickly as possible to apply the agreement provisionally now.
Four out of five machines produced in Germany are destined for customers abroad. But the export business is becoming increasingly difficult - not least due to the growing number of trade barriers. The motto is to find new markets.
Brazil has changed the import duties for selected steel products and capital goods. For products without national production, there is still the possibility of a temporary reduction via the ex-tarifário regime.
Die neue geopolitische Situation löst ein verstärktes Interesse an Rüstungsprojekten aus. Sitzt der Kunde im Ausland (einschließlich EU), müssen eventuell bestehende Exportbeschränkungen beachtet werden.
A current sentiment survey on the EU-Mercosur agreement shows clear expectations of tariff reductions and new business opportunities.
On the initiative of the VDMA Forum Process Technology, several water trade fairs have once again made it into the German government's foreign trade fair program in 2026. The destinations are pure treasures.
The Court's decision is a victory for the rules-based system, but it could lead to more confusion and uncertainty for European machine manufacturers and their American customers. The key points are summarized below.
China is one of the most important markets in mechanical engineering - at the same time, pressure from Chinese competitors is growing. VDMA Vice President Jakschik talks about fair and unfair competitive advantages and necessary reforms in Germany and Europe.
Mechanical engineering exports from Germany have once again fallen noticeably to just under 200 billion euros in 2025. Tariffs and other trade barriers worldwide are slowing down exports - and there is still no real improvement in sight for 2026.
The Supreme Court's ruling against the US government's reciprocal tariffs is an important signal for rules-based trade. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains for European companies.
The Argentina-US trade and investment agreement aims to lower tariffs and trade barriers, limit unfair practices and strengthen cooperation and competitiveness.
On his first trip to China, Federal Chancellor Merz is being challenged: The basic prerequisite for cooperation is fair competitive conditions. Companies are coming under increasing pressure because China is systematically distorting competition.
The ASEAN region is developing into one of the most important growth zones in the global automotive market. With a population of around 680 million and an economic output on a par with Germany, the ASEAN region is becoming increasingly important.
There are various service providers and information providers that support companies in internationalising their activities. They often specialise in specific regions and/or topics.
In 2026, the VDMA Shanghai Representative Office marks its 20th anniversary—a milestone of two decades of growth and partnership.
Three interesting events are waiting for you in March. In addition to our online introduction to the new Five-Year Plan, we will also focus on competition strategy and employment restructuring.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026–2030 is expected to be officially released during the annual “Two Sessions” meetings in Beijing in early March. Even before publication, the main policy directions are already emerging.
The VDMA Foreign Trade Department regularly organizes professional web events focused on current customs regulations.
Since February 1, 2026, the euro has been the sole means of payment in Bulgaria, thus completing a key economic transition phase.
The mechanical engineering industry in Germany closed the year 2025 with zero growth in order books. Overall, the mood in the sector has recently brightened slightly.
The EU-Mercosur agreement is very important at a political level and the Brazilian economy sees it as a strategic impulse.
China remains the No. 2 export market for the German mechanical engineering industry, but a weak economy, increasing competition and geopolitical shifts are significantly changing the framework conditions.
The EU-Parliament has referred the agreement with Mercosur to the EU-Court of Justice for review. VDMA supports the Commission's intention to proceed with the provisional application of the agreement following ratification by two Mercosur countries.
The trade fair year 2026 calls solution providers from the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors to Mumbai, Beijing, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, among others. Private sector booths will add extras in Rio and the home market Hamburg.
The latest customs information for your daily work – exclusively for members.
As China’s manufacturing sector accelerates its transition toward "New Quality Productive Forces," the synergy between international expertise and local innovation is entering a transformative phase.
82 mandatory standards/Amendments, 723 voluntary standards/Amendments and140 translated standards were approved in the past two months.
A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments.
China-Singapore Joint Data Compliance Guide-Practical Handbook is available.
The Chinese Blue Book on the Evolution of Digitalization of Standards was released.
16 CCC products transition from self-declaration to third-party certification.
A series of import and export-related catalogues are released.
VDMA Shanghai, in cooperation with the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China successfully hosted an exclusive closed-door executive roundtable in Shanghai.
The EU's free trade agreement with India sends out a very important signal in favor of rules-based trade and against the law of the jungle. The elimination of customs duties and technical barriers to trade provides an urgently needed boost to competition.
HANNOVER MESSE's interactive formats can be used specifically to generate more qualified leads, increase visibility before and during the trade fair and enter into direct dialog with relevant target groups.
As global supply chains shift, ASEAN’s strategic importance grows. This publication offers data-driven insights, manufacturing trends, and member experiences shaping growth in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with GTAI and EDB.
ASEAN’s manufacturing sector finished 2025 on a high, recording its strongest quarter in four years. While growth moderated slightly, resilient demand, rising hiring and improved confidence point to solid momentum entering 2026.
This overview is intended to support the announcement, planning and participation in relevant trade fairs and exhibitions in the sub-sectors and groups of the VDMA.
VDMA President Bertram Kawlath visited Brazil. Talks on the EU-Mercosur agreement, company visits and institutional dialog strengthened the strategic partnership.
The EU and India have concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. This could be a “game changer” for the engineering industry. What steps are now necessary for the agreement to enter into force?
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with China and with key data on the Chinese water sector.
A target market analysis is usually prepared for projects within the scope of the market development program. We have compiled an overview of the projects in the water industry up to 2025.
With an update every two months, which is exclusively available for download to VDMA member companies, we provide you with up-to-date information on German exports of water and wastewater technology.
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with France and with key data on the French water sector.
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with Egypt and with key data on the Egyptian water sector.
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with the USA and with key data on the water sector in the USA.
For the guidance of member companies, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology has compiled a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with India and with key data on India's water sector.
For the orientation of VDMA member companies, the German Engineering Federation has created a new data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with Brazil.
The calls for tenders for a 3rd tranche 2025 in the BMWK market development program have been published online on the website of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).
For the guidance of member companies, the VDMA Process Equipment and Machinery Association has updated a data sheet on foreign trade in machinery with Portugal.
With an update that is exclusively available to VDMA member companies for download, we provide you with up-to-date information on exports of water and wastewater technology from Germany.
Development of German exports of mechanical engineering/process engineering machinery and apparatus, country shares, most important machinery supplier countries incl. goods shares, EU exports
From June 10 to 14, 2024, AHK Poland is organizing a business initiation trip "Innovative technologies for water treatment and wastewater management to Poland.
From 26 to 30 June 2023, AHK Portugal will conduct a "Business initiation for German companies and providers of solutions in the water sector in connection with water scarcity" to Portugal.
List of planned experience exchange events ("ERFA") from the North, VDMA Regional Association North and the Marine Equipment and Systems (MES) working group.
Where answers count and expertise is required: At VDMA Photovoltaik Equipment, you receive all the services the industry needs in Germany. Professional and reliable, we are the drive and backing for your company. We catch the top themes and create values for you.
After 5 years of steady growth, the German production of process machinery and equipment dropped by 10 percent to 6.9 billion euros in 2015. Exports of process engineering machinery and equipment reached a volume of 5.5 billion euros. This is an increase of 1 percent compared to last year.
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Events
Serbia is becoming an increasingly important market for mechanical and plant engineering. This concise web event provides an expert overview of market opportunities, market entry strategies and nearshoring potential.
Please make a note of this date. Further details regarding the agenda will follow in January 2026.
VDMA member companies and their American customers continue to grapple with Donald Trump’s import tariffs. Unfortunately, uncertainty prevails with respect to the future of the baseline 15-percent tariff, as well as the 50-percent tariff on steel and aluminum derivative products.
What’s new in the field of export control? What should companies currently expect in practice? The annual experience-exchange meeting with a regional focus on Westphalia – an additional session with a focus on the Rhine/Ruhr region will be offered on 9 March in Düsseldorf.
Customs clearance news: What's new in the customs area, CO² compensation tax (CBAM), third countries, USA, FTA Mercosur etc.? The annual exchange of experience with a regional focus on Westphalia - a second date in the Westphalia region will be offered on 02.03.2026 in Rheda-Wiedenbrück.
On behalf of the Chairman Dr. Erik Zimmermann, Wirtgen GmbH, we cordially invite you to the next virtual meeting of the Asia Steering Committee.
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