Markets & Economy - vdma.org

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On August 7, 2025, Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed State Council Decree No. 814, officially releasing the Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners.

Focus on the US market: The new VDMA economic report Q2/2025 shows stable developments despite political uncertainties. Now exclusively for members - with interactive charts and current economic data.

The number of employees in the mechanical engineering sector in Germany fell slightly in the first half of the year, but companies are holding on to their core workforces even in turbulent times.

After 100 days of the German federal government, there is less and less sign of a spirit of optimism. Real reforms and uncomfortable decisions are needed for a turnaround in the fall - now!

A Strategic Push for Industrial and Green Transformation (Part 1: Key Aspects of the Policy)

The "tariff agreement" between the EU and the USA is hurting companies, the supposed planning security has been bought at a high price. In the end, it will probably be American customers who pay the bill. The EU and the German government must act now.

The EU has updated the content of one of its two embargo regulations against Sudan. Among other things, two new companies have been added to the blacklist.

The EU has updated the content of two of its embargo regulations against Iran. For the third Iran embargo regulation, a completely up-to-date consolidated text version is once again available.

As part of a political agreement with the European Commission, a new base tariff of 15 percent has been established to prevent a further escalation of retaliatory measures.

Digital, secure, and efficient. The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace passport stamping.

Argentina stabilizes in 2025 - Brazil benefits from this, with Brazilian cars and machinery in particular in demand. At the same time, uncertainty in trade with the USA is growing.

The agreement in the customs dispute creates planning security in the short term and averts an incalculable trade war. However, the agreement also reflects the balance of power. The EU must therefore now consistently strengthen its competitiveness.

Salary benchmarks for selected professional positions in Chinese mechanical engineering - exclusively for members

With the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Donald Trump has reached his most important goal in Congress. The sweeping tax reforms carry significant implications for VDMA member companies.

VDMA America recently held their first Executive Roundtable at GEDA USA in League City, Texas, providing the American leadership of our members’ subsidiaries a valuable opportunity to network and exchange insights on key topics impacting our industry

The VDMA urges the U.S. and EU to reach an agreement that ensures the certainty European machinery manufacturers need to operate in the U.S.

The OECD Consensus on Export Credits was modernized in 2023 to strengthen opportunities in global competition. However, implementation of the reform is slow. According to an analysis by the US Exim Bank, China is ahead in terms of new commitments in 2024.

A politically motivated ban on exports of rare earths from China is not compatible with a trusting trade relationship. The EU must show strength towards China and take action.

On July 18, 2025, the EU published its 18th sanctions package, which also includes measures against Belarus. It includes two amending regulations. Some of the tougher sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

On July 18, 2025, the EU published its 18th sanctions package against Russia. The measures (2 amending regulations) all come into force on 19.07.2025. Some of the tightened sanctions are also relevant for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.

10.1 percent of the total value-added of the machinery industry in Germany gets finally tied up in automobiles. Around 103,000 of the 1.02 million jobs in the machinery industry in Germany hence depend on the global demand for automobiles.

Members describe their practical experiences: The VDMA's third online survey on the bureaucratic hurdles involved in reporting work assignments in Europe is running from July 18 to August 18.

The first round of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the UAE took place in June 2025. VDMA hopes that this will result in an agreement to abolish localization requirements, amongst other things.

The business outlook in the mechanical engineering sector remains virtually unchanged, while the mood among companies remains tense. There are significant differences between the sales regions.

Global machine turnover is expected to grow by one percent in price-adjusted terms in 2025 compared to the previous year, with significant differences in regional dynamics.

Good news for European companies: the EU's free trade agreement with Indonesia is an important success for more rules-based trade worldwide.

US punitive tariffs of 30 percent would be damaging for all parties involved, for the EU and the USA. Investments and reindustrialization would be slowed down.

The EU finance ministers have decided that Bulgaria will officially join the eurozone on January 1, 2026.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector fell by 9.1 % in April. - First decline in three months, the impact of the Trump administration's tariff policy still unclear.

The new Trump tariffs are not only raising costs for the machinery sector, but creating confusion and uncertainty among manufacturers that export to the United States.

How can statistical reporting obligations be reduced? Digital services can help you. A free webinar by the Saxon State Statistical Office in cooperation with the Chemnitz Chamber of Industry and Commerce presents the e.CORE reporting procedure.

Incoming orders in May were a positive surprise - albeit on a weak prior-year basis. Overall, companies have recorded a small increase in orders so far this year, but global uncertainty remains high.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which was officially agreed at the beginning of 2025, is a joint project between Singapore and Malaysia with the aim of exploiting economic synergies between the two countries.

This overview aims to support awareness, planning, and participation in relevant trade fairs and exhibitions across the VDMA subsectors and groups.

In China and the US, machinery and equipment manufacturing has been growing for several months. In most EU countries, fewer machinery and equipment products are being produced than a year ago.

China's subsidies and disregard for standards are distorting competition. Mechanical engineering in Europe needs better location conditions and fair competition.

In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development, as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a particular focus on machinery and equipment.

The manufacturer of strapping and end-of-line packaging technology, expands global footprint one strap at a time with grand opening of second facility in Malaysia

VDMA America hosts its first member-exclusive Executive Roundtable in the United States on Wednesday, July 16, in the Houston area.

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Canada wants to expand its economic partnerships - an opportunity for Europe. It is crucial that the CETA free trade agreement is finally implemented in full.

If export goods are not delivered, there is a risk of high losses - especially for custom-made products. Hermes Cover protects against losses due to sanctions or geopolitical conflicts, among other things.

From the VDMA's perspective, visa policy and technical interfaces are among the top issues for German-Brazilian cooperation in mechanical engineering. The German-Brazilian Business Days provide an opportunity for exchange.

Chinese companies often enjoy competition-distorting advantages and subsidies. In a new position paper, the VDMA makes demands on German and European politicians to counteract these disadvantages.

The new Chinese export controls on rare earths and some products made from them are increasingly becoming a massive problem. China cannot keep up with issuing the export licenses that are now required.

We always report on changes to major embargoes or embargo changes with significant relevance for mechanical and plant engineering at short notice. Here is an overview of less relevant embargo changes since January 2025.

The tabular VDMA overview "Country-related embargoes" makes it easy to find out which countries are currently subject to EU embargo measures and what the current status of the embargo texts is.

Incoming orders for machine tools from China rose by 27.9% (YoY) to 34 billion yen in April, marking the 13th consecutive month of growth. The lively investment activity of local manufacturers continues.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector fell by 6% in real terms in April compared to the previous year. An expected setback, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.