Merchandise trade volume growth in the Group of Seven countries slowed to a seasonally-adjusted 2.9% for exports and 1.3% for imports in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the fourth quarter of 2005. On a year-to-year basis, G7 trade volumes continued to grow, with exports 11.2% higher and imports up 6.9%.
Germany’s merchandise exports rose by a modest 2.3% compared with the previous quarter while imports fell 1.7%. But on a year-to-year basis, trade volume growth continued to be strong and was well above the G7 average with 15.5% for exports and 10.3% for imports.
In the United States, quarter-to-quarter trade growth was above the G7 average. Exports rose 4.8% while imports climbed 3.4%. Year-on-year, the upward trend continued in the first quarter of 2006 with 11.7% growth for exports and 7.3% for imports.
Japanese merchandise trade volume growth was 4.0% for exports and 2.6% for imports. Year-on-year, export volumes were up 11.0% and imports were 5.0% higher.
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