FILE PHOTO: German government spokesman Steffen Seibert listens during a news conference of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, July 18, 2014. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany regards as “unlawful” a U.S. decision to move ahead with tariffs on aluminium and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union but will continue to push for free trade and open markets, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said.

“This measure brings the danger of a spiral of escalation, which in the end harms everyone,” Seibert added in a statement.