BERLIN, March 16 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday that planned U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs went against the principles of the World Trade Organisation and the dispute should be resolved via talks if possible.
Speaking at a news conference with visiting Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Merkel stressed the importance of multilateralism to Germany and Sweden and said both countries wanted to see the WTO take a strong role.
"We believe the tariffs that the United States has proposed are against these principles of the WTO and we want to change or solve these problems via discussions if possible," she said.
Lofven said the planned tariffs were worrying and regrettable. (Reporting by Michelle Martin Editing by Paul Carrel)