New sanctions against Russia proposed by U.S.
lawmakers and which could harm European firms violate international law
and the European Commission should consider counter-measures, the German
economy minister was quoted on Monday as saying.
"We
consider this as being against international law, plain and simple,"
Brigitte Zypries told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain. "Of course
we don't want a trade war. But it is important the European Commission
now looks into countermeasures."
The German
government and business leaders have said the new sanctions passed this
month by the U.S. House of Representatives could prevent German
companies from working on pipeline projects that they say are essential
to Germany's energy security.
