French economy minister Bruno Le Maire urged the US not to make Europe "collateral damage" in a trade war with China, saying the EU would be ready to discuss reform of the World Trade Organisation if Washington drops its threat of punitive steel and aluminium tariffs.
Mr Le Maire (pictured) said that the EU is seeking a permanent exemption from 25 per cent tariffs on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium that are due to apply from May 1 when a temporary carve out expires.
President Trump unveiled the tariffs in March as a way to counter what he sees as unfair competition for American steelmakers and to force other countries to make concessions in the tariffs they apply to US exports.