EU: Tariffs 'weakening trans-Atlantic relations'

The EU trade commissioner has said Donald Trump's trade tariffs are "further weakening trans-Atlantic (Shanghai: 600558.SS - news) relations".

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom's words come after the US president slapped tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from the EU, Canada and Mexico.

Mr Trump had cited national interest as his reason for the 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminium but the EU leaders have described it as "protectionism" and "illegal".

Ms Malmstrom said: "I don't think this is a trade war but we're in a very difficult situation.

"This is something that has been imposed by the US, we didn't ask for it."

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) added: "We have no intention to escalate this, the door for dialogue is always open...the ball is in (the US's) court."

More follows...