Germany: And now the Good News

I know, I know - we did a bit of Germany bashing in the last few days. Please accept our sincerest apologies.

So, for a change, here are some good news coming out of Germany:

Germany is # 1 import country for Iran!

Destatis, Germany's federal statistical bureau, has just published Country Profile Iran. According to destatis, Germany's exports to Iran have risen considerably in the last couple of years. Germany now occupies the # 1 spot for Iranian imports:

Einfuhren = (Iranian) Imports   Ausfuhren = (Iranian) Exports   Deutschland = Germany 
Vereinigte Arabische Emirate = UAE   übrige Länder = Other Countries

Iranian imports of German goods (in millions of US $):
2003/04: 3 318
2004/05: 4 900
2005/06: 6 067
(Source: p. 4)

BTW, and completely unrelated to this posting, I am not aware of any inquiry of the German parliament or any other public body regarding the involvement of German companies in the UN Oil for Food scandal. Also, the German media's interest is somewhat limited. Others down under have done a better job on this topic...

Comments

[James]

Talk to any German and they'll tell you how their huge positive trade balance is a virtue (in a stoic manner of course). And in the same sentence also mention the huge American imbalance, which is an obvious indication of the country's imperfection.

If history demonstrates anything, it's that trade imbalances do not bode well for any country who's member to the international system. Furthermore, I doubt whether Germany would be willing to sacrifice Iranian trade per se, in the name of abating Iranian attempts at gathering a nuclear bomb. No, The German way is all talk and no decisions. German machine tool exports would be far too esculatory.