EU still wants to avoid tariffs after Trump's rejection of 'zero for zero' deal

BRUSSELS, April 8 (Reuters) - The European Union still wants to avoid a trade war with the United States despite Donald Trump's administration's rejection of the "zero for zero" offer on all industrial goods put forward by Brussels, an EU spokesperson told reporters on Tuesday.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Monday that the European Union needed to lower its non-tariff barriers, including those created by value-added taxes and food safety regulations, if it wanted to reach a deal.

"The situation hasn't changed. We want to avoid tariffs (...) we are waiting for our American counterparts to engage in a meaningful way," he said.