Reference News Network, January 21 report: According to the German "Welt" website, January 19 report, German machine tool manufacturers have lost the title of world export champion. The German Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association cited official preliminary statistics reports that China became the most important supplier in this niche market globally for the first time in 2025. The association stated that China accounted for 21.6% of global machine tool exports, while Germany only accounted for 16.7%. Because the development trends of the two countries were completely opposite last year: the exports of domestic German manufacturers fell by 10%, while China's exports increased by 18%.
In the entire machinery manufacturing industry, China had already taken the top spot in export statistics as early as 2020. But in the machine tool industry, Germany still maintained its leading position - until now.
The importance of the machine tool industry should not be underestimated: Franz-Xaver Bernhard, chairman of the German Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association, explained that machine tools are the foundation of various industrial productions. He said that without such machines, it would be impossible to manufacture cars, wind turbines, valves, beverage filling equipment, artificial hip joints, and smartphone camera lenses.
However, the change of global leadership is just a matter of time. "We have studied all of China's five-year plans. For 20 years, machine tools have been one of the most important topics," Bernhard said, "Therefore, we have been alert and prepared for this trend: Chinese industry hopes to promote the development of this field so that they can further reduce their dependence on imports." This entrepreneur pointed out that products from China are accelerating their way to the global market. (Translated by Mei Pengpeng)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7597626360974082600/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.