German exports rise more than expected in May

BERLIN (Reuters) - German exports rose by more than imports in May, widening the trade surplus, data showed on Monday, in a further sign that Europe's biggest economy remains in robust form despite trade tensions the United States.

Seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.8 percent on the month, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed. Imports rose by 0.7 percent.

A Reuters poll had pointed to exports rising by 0.75 percent and imports falling by 0.3 percent.

The seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened to 20.3 billion euros ($23.90 billion) from 19.0 billion euros in April. The reading topped the Reuters consensus forecast of 20.0 billion euros.

Germany's wider current account surplus, which measures the flow of goods, services and investments, fell to 12.6 billion euros from 23.5 billion euros in April, unadjusted data showed.

($1 = 0.8495 euros)

(Writing by Paul Carrel; editing by Jason Neely)