Trade war between U.S. and Europe can still be avoided - Germany

German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Brigitte Zypries speaks during an interview with Reuters in Berlin, Germany June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Stefanie Loos

BERLIN (Reuters) - A trade war between Europe and the United States can still be averted, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday, adding she hoped that talks in Brussels this weekend could help to prevent an escalation.

U.S. President Donald Trump set import tariffs on Thursday of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium but is under heavy pressure from allies including the European Union and Japan to dilute the measures.