Weaker exports hit German economy but budget surplus still high

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's economy contracted on weaker exports in the second quarter, detailed data showed on Tuesday, highlighting the Achilles heel of Europe's largest economy due to escalating trade disputes and waning foreign demand.The Federal Statistics Office confirmed a preliminary gross domestic product contraction of 0.1% quarter-on-quarter from April to June after a 0.4% expansion in the first three months of the year.The outlook for the German economy is uncertain as sentiment..