German Federal Statistical Office announced that after seasonal adjustment, exports grew by 0.7% in July and imports fell by 1.5%. The trade surplus rose to 20.2 billion ($22.3 billion), after a downward correction of 18 billion in the previous month.
Reuters surveys of economists showed that exports fell by 0.5% and imports by 0.3%. The trade surplus is expected to be 17.5 billion euros.
Volker Treier, an economist at the German Federation of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), said: "The small increase in exports in July is not yet a reason for exhilaration in foreign trade."
"Business uncertainties remain, mainly because global trade conflicts are still brewing and the way for Britain to withdraw from Europe is still unclear."
White House economic adviser Kudrow said on Friday that the U.S. -China trade conflict may take years to resolve, but Washington hopes the September and October talks will yield "near-term" results.
Germany's stronger-than-expected export data on Monday contrasts sharply with a series of weak data recently released by Europe's largest economy. These figures have heightened fears that Germany may fall into recession in the third quarter.
Against this background, the ECB is expected to introduce new stimulus measures at its policy meeting on Thursday.
Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank 0.1% year-on-year in the second quarter due to weak exports. The decline in overseas sales was mainly due to lower-than-average demand from Britain and China.
Economists usually define a contraction of the economy for at least two consecutive quarters as a technical recession.
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