Italy says trade clash between U.S., Europe would be dangerous

[March 31, 2017]  ROME (Reuters) - Trade disputes between the United States and Europe would hurt economic growth and global governance at a time when the West needs to show a unified front against unfair trade practices, Italy's industry minister said on Friday.

Italian Industry Minister Carlo Calenda talks during an interview with Reuters in his office in Rome, Italy November 25, 2016. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

"Any trade clash between the United States and Europe would be dangerous not only for our economies, but also for the rules that govern globalization," Industry Minister Carlo Calenda told reporters in Rome.

Calenda said Western countries should refrain from trade disputes "that would symbolically show a division at a moment when the Western world should be unified in protecting its citizens from unfair trade practices".

(Reporting by Antonella Cinelli, writing by Steve Scherer)

[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.