Germany's economy shrank more than expected in the second quarter as US tariffs battered exports, official data showed Friday, ramping up pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to turn Europe's top economy around.

Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.3 percent from the previous quarter, federal statistics agency Destatis said, as it revised down an earlier July estimate of a drop of just 0.1 percent.

Goods exports fell 0.6 percent and spending on machinery and equipment fell 1.9 percent, underlying the difficulties faced by the country's manufacturers in the first full quarter after increased US tariffs took effect.

The United States is a Germany's largest trade partner, taking about 10 percent of its exports, and a key destination for products from cars to chemicals.

Household consumpti

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