Merz says EU can defend its interests if no solution found to US trade dispute

BERLIN, June 24 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday that the EU has a range of options at its disposal should a solution to the trade conflict with the United States prove impossible, though he was confidence a solution could be found by early July.

"My impression from talks with the U.S. president is that the U.S. also has an interest in continuing to cooperate," he told lawmakers in the Bundestag lower house of parliament.

However, if that proves impossible, the European Union can, and will, defend its interests, warned the German chancellor.