German exports jumped 9% on a year earlier in May, resulting in a trade surplus that was 12% higher than expected. However, imports outpaced this with a 13% growth rate last seen in April 2011. German managers are their most optimistic since 2011, so the increase in trade looks set to continued. Germany faces several trade policy challenges, including relations with the U.S. In that regard this data is useful as the surplus with the U.S. fell 12% on a year earlier to $5 billion. There is room to increase foreign direct investment in the U.S. though – this was just 20% of the surplus in t...