So says Der Spiegel who cite an internal ministry document they've been given access to
The Finance Ministry is estimating a trade surplus of 8.1% of economic output after 7.6 % last year.
The lower cost of imports of oil and gas is expected to boost the trade balance by around 1.2 % alone, the document said. Without the decline in oil and gas prices, the trade surplus would have fallen compared with the previous year.
Germany has come under international pressure to reduce its trade surplus, which critics say contributes to imbalances in the world economy.
In a report published last month, the IMF said Germany should focus on bolstering medium-term growth and reducing external imbalances.
The European Commission considers trade surpluses that are repeatedly over 6 % of economic output as dangerous for stability and has urged Germany to undertake more investment to stimulate imports.
Reuters has the story here
