German trade surplus hits record high in 2014

The German trade surplus hit a record high level in 2014 with an amount of 216.9 billion euros (236.2 billion U.S. dollars), official data showed on Monday.

It was the highest level since 2007 when the balance of foreign trade in Europe's biggest economy was 195.3 billion euros, the German federal statistical office Destatis said.

In 2014, Germany exported goods worth 1.13 trillion euros and imported goods worth 916.6 billion euros, said Destatis, citing preliminary calculations.

Foreign trade contributed slightly to the growth of the German economy in 2014. Analysts said it would play a bigger role this year as a weak euro benefits exporters.

The huge surplus, which accounted for roughly 7.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), was criticized by Germany's partners including the United States and other international organizations who argued that Germany was not buying enough from its trade partners, and doing enough to help the fragile euro zone economy. Endit