GERMANY was the world's biggest exporter in 2007, raking in some $1.3 trillion from exports and accounting for 9.5% of all merchandise exports, according to preliminary figures from the World Trade Organisation. China and America were close behind. Together the three account for a quarter of the world's exports. America was by some way the biggest importer, sucking in a staggering $2 trillion of merchandise from abroad, nearly twice as much as its nearest rival, Germany. Growth in merchandise exports fell to 5.5% from 8.5% in 2006 as demand weakened in developed economies.

AFP