Here are the main developments from Germany on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Trade and economy
German exports surprised on the upside in March, rising 0.5% month-on-month and 1.9% year-on-year (adjusted). Imports rose more sharply, up 5.1% from February and 7.2% year-on-year. Exports totalled €135.8 billion vs. imports of €121.5 billion, producing a trade surplus of €14.3 billion — down from €19.6 billion in February.
While the United States remains Germany’s largest single market, shipments to the US fell sharply (exports to the US were €11.2 billion in March, down 7.9% month-on-month and 21.4% versus March 2025). Exports to China also slipped by 1.8%. Demand instead increased within the EU (exports +3.4%) and to the UK (+3.2%).
The Iran war, higher oil prices and renewed talk of tariffs — including threats of US measures — have added uncertainty for Germany’s export-driven economy. The government has halved its growth forecast for the year to 0.5%, and industry groups now expect exports to stagnate in 2026 after earlier hopes for modest growth.
Commerzbank and banking news
Commerzbank announced plans to strengthen performance and make any takeover bid more costly by raising targets and cutting jobs. The bank intends to remove around 3,000 roles out of roughly 38,000 positions, citing efficiency gains including from AI. Commerzbank will invest about €450 million to manage the reductions in a socially responsible way; the bank has already cut about 10,000 jobs since 2020.
The moves come as Italian lender UniCredit has built a stake of more than a quarter in Commerzbank and holds options for an increased holding. Commerzbank’s CEO framed the programme as defensive, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised what he described as aggressive acquisition tactics.
Politics and public policy
A proposed one-off €1,000 worker bonus meant to ease energy cost burdens was blocked in the Bundesrat after federal states refused to back the measure. The state-level vote is a setback for the coalition government; disagreements centreled on cost-sharing and eligibility questions. Officials have not yet said whether mediation between federal and state governments will be pursued.
Military recruitment and assessments
As part of plans to expand the Bundeswehr in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and updated NATO targets, Germany has designated 24 locations for new assessment centres to evaluate military candidates. The Defence Ministry said the first centre is expected to open later this year, with evaluations of physical, mental and intellectual suitability due to begin in mid-2027.
Two centres will be in Kassel and Wiesbaden, with others at established military bases including Bonn, Dresden, Hamburg and Ulm, and additional sites in cities such as Bielefeld, Dortmund and Regensburg. Germany reintroduced voluntary military service last year and requires 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire about willingness to serve.
Security incident
A bank in the western town of Sinzig was the scene of a hostage situation; authorities later reported that hostages were freed after suspects fled the scene. Local police and emergency services managed the incident; investigations are ongoing.
What to watch next
Markets and exporters will be watching further trade data, growth forecasts and any escalation in trade tensions. Commerzbank’s restructuring and the UniCredit stake will remain in focus for regulators, investors and policymakers. Meanwhile, the rollout of army assessment centres marks a significant step in Germany’s efforts to rebuild military capacity in response to shifting security demands.