Sweden's economic relations with Germany extend beyond the most popular destination, which is called border shopping. German enterprise has quietly and peacefully invaded Swedish everyday life. Almost nine-and-a-half million Swedes buy more German than the almost eighty-two million Germans buy Swedish. This pattern has been around for quite a few years.

The statistics are illustrated in the consumption pattern. Look around your home! How many items come from Germany? Washing machine, fridge, stove, toaster and coffee maker? Or go out on the street and note the well-known German car brands, such as Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Or find out how many components come from Germany in a so-called Swedish car brand like Volvo. Yet, the car dealer who can sell a Volvo in Germany has to be quite a good salesman.

Germany is Sweden’s largest trading partner. Moreover, Germany is increasingly the strongest political partn...