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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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 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.
VDMA Summit in Singapore offers a deep dive on Indonesia. The event is the only networking platform for the mechanical engineering industry in the region.
Visas are required for technicians from Europe, who install machines in Brazil. The process is complex, as a work permit must be obtained locally. The requirements also apply to technical consultants.
Brazil offers great opportunities, and there is strong support for overcoming the obstacles to market entry, including from the VDMA in Brazil. A further improvement in the general conditions is to be expected.
On October 23, 2025, the EU also published and implemented its 19th sanctions package against Belarus. These are two amending regulations that extend the Embargo Regulation No. 765/2006.
On October 23, 2025, the EU published and implemented its 19th sanctions package against Russia. It consists of 3 amending regulations, which amend or extend the Embargo Regulations No. 833/2014 and No. 269/2014.
The Russian central bank is keeping interest rates high while growth is stagnating and inflation is not abating. Stagflation is looming - with structural problems, war and sanctions in the background.
Join the exclusive VDMA Yangtze River Delta Learning Journey to explore China's cutting-edge innovations in smart manufacturing and technology through high-level corporate visits and networking sessions this November.
The members' meeting for all mechanical engineering sectors in Brazil will take place on 6 November. VDMA President Bertram Kawlath, who has represented the association in Europe since 2024, will also take part in the panel discussions.
Vietnam is in the midst of a far-reaching administrative reform that is realigning the country politically and economically - with consequences for European mechanical engineering companies.
112 mandatory standards/Amendments, 1184 voluntary standards/Amendments and 88 translated standards in English were approved.
A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments.
17 Implementation Rules for Product Carbon Footprint Certification (Trial) were approved.
GB/T 20850-2025 updates the guidelines for the application of machinery safety standards in China.
Cage three-phase high voltage induction motor is added into the Catalogue for China Energy Label.
Domestic products will enjoy 20% price preference in government procurement evaluations.
The additional tariffs imposed by the USA on imports from Southeast Asia are placing a heavy burden on the region.
VDMA President Bertram Kawlath visited Taicang on his first day in Shanghai, discussing new development opportunities with German companies.
“AI in Mechanical Engineering: Transforming Machines into Smart Systems” The 14th VDMA China Mechanical Engineering Summit was successfully held!
The U.S. Commerce Department has published American industry’s requests for inclusion in its second round of tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives.
Export financing requires a combination of Hermes knowledge, banking issues and export contracts. A specialist seminar in November explains how to work successfully with banks.
The German export credit guarantees are scoring points. Official experts are now also providing advice in India and Latin America. The new "Flex & Cover" funding category makes it easier to use the cover. New commitments remain restrained.
Approximately 40 percent of our exports to the U.S. are affected by tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives. VDMA is working to find a solution to these trade barriers with our most important export market.
Europe's mechanical engineering companies are facing major challenges in Southeast Asia. More local proximity, strategic adaptation and the courage to question familiar ways of thinking are needed.
Members face unprecedented compliance challenges with the new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives. The VDMA now publishes a guide to support members in this new and difficult area.
The "customs deal" is increasingly being called into question by the US - is now being investigated whether robotics and industrial machinery pose a threat to US security. The EU must make it clear: European mechanical engineering is not a security risk!
The U.S. follows through on the agreement to lower tariffs on auto parts, civil aircraft, as well as natural resources.
The Commerce Department announced a new Section 232 National Security Investigation specifically for Machinery.
Strategic Insights and Practical Solutions for Industry Leaders
The EU and India want to conclude negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year. VDMA would welcome such an agreement, provided that key demands of the European machinery and equipment manufacturing industry are also considered.
Following the first review that imposed high steel and aluminum tariffs on many machinery products, the U.S. Commerce Department has opened a second round for product inclusion requests.
Our investment chartpack offers you comprehensive insights into the current trends and challenges facing our industry.
On behalf of the German-African Business Association, we collect feedback and information on your current Africa projects. This information will be fed into the talks with African partners via the German government.
Trade conflicts, bureaucracy and rising costs are slowing down the mechanical engineering sector. Production will fall by 5 percent in 2025. VDMA President Kawlath calls for an "autumn of action".
The EU has a range of trade policy instruments at its disposal to ensure a level playing field for German and European companies in trade with China.
Two Committees of the European Parliament have approved the negotiating mandate on the eDeclaration. VDMA hopes that the trilogue negotiations between the EU institutions can now begin promptly.
Part 2 of our series of talks on the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2025: VDMA foreign trade expert Monika Hollacher shows how companies can mitigate geopolitical risks by choosing their location wisely.
The EU and Indonesia finalised on 23 September 2025 the negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). VDMA welcomes this, as our export-oriented industry needs new markets.
The EU is finally making progress on the Mercosur agreement. The decision to treat the trade part separately is particularly helpful. Now it is up to the EU Council and Parliament.
The slight easing in order books in July is not a trend reversal: The hoped-for momentum in investments in mechanical engineering is still lacking. The promised relief must therefore come in the fall.
The bureaucratic burdens of the new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives are immense. Manufacturers must prepare quickly to handle the requests that they will receive from importers.
Important Industry News from India
Latest Update from Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry in India
Latest Update on Textile Industry in India
Latest Update on Port & Shipping Sector from India
Latest Update from Food and Beverage Industry in India
Important Update from Power Industry in India
News on Road and Railways in India
LogiMAT India 2026 - from February 5 to 7 in Mumbai - is once again part of the German government's official foreign trade fair program. The German Pavilion offers discounted conditions for interested companies.
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.
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 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).
From May 19 to 23, 2025, the AHK Portugal is organizing a business initiation to Portugal on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. It is part of the market development program for SMEs.
From March 31 to April 4, 2025, trAIDe GmbH is conducting a business initiation to Colombia on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. It is part of the market development program for SMEs.
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.
Events
Determine customs tariff numbers reliably: Classification of machine parts
Discover how Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Sales empower companies to expand across Europe with precision and impact. In this two-part session, Dastani Consulting and MANN+HUMMEL share strategic insights and real-world experiences from data-driven lead generation, customer development, and sales optimization. Learn how AI transforms complexity into clarityfrom identifying market potential to deepening customer relationships.
In this web event, we will focus on sourcing opportunities in Romania and Bulgaria.
Further training and practical discussion exclusively for the first management level! The three-hour event will focus on current issues relating to company export controls and customs.
Export control officers and customs officers can find out about new legislation and the impact of relevant political developments.
Exclusively for VDMA members
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