BERLIN: Germany’s exports should grow some 16 percent this year and up to seven percent in 2011, its exporters association forecast on Tuesday, though it warned that currency tensions may lead to a rise in protectionism.

Foreign Trade Association (BGA) President Anton Boerner told reporters in Berlin the group expected Germany would export goods worth at least one trillion euros for the first time next year following a sharp rebound in foreign demand in 2010.

“All in all, we’re predicting the strongest increase in foreign trade for ten years in 2010,” he said.

“For 2011, I expect exports to grow by up to seven percent to 1,003 billion euros.”

Boerner said the biggest risk to German exporters was a currency devaluation spiral and said that a depreciation in the value of the US dollar was likely to continue due to its expansive monetary policy.

“The biggest risk factor for me is the problem of devaluation arising from the dollar,” said Boerner.

Tariffs on Chinese imports being discussed in the United States were dangerous, he said.

“When such a big country takes such measures, then other countries will and must follow suit,” he said.

