The EU will take 'appropriate' steps to settle a trade row over the Falklands involving Britain, an EU spokesman said yesterday

'The EU will be taking appropriate diplomatic steps to clarify these legitimate trade concerns,' said EU trade spokesman John Clancy after Britain urged its partners for support in what it said was Argentina's attempt to erect trade barriers amid tensions over the Falkland Islands.

Britain called for EU support after London summoned Argentina's charge d'affaires to the Foreign Office over the country's threat to boycott British products.

On Monday, Argentinian authorities refused permission for two British cruise ships to dock at Ushuaia on the southern tip of Argentina after they had visited the Falklands.

The charge d'affaires, Osvaldo Narciso Marsico, was told 'that such actions against legitimate commercial activity were a matter of concern, not just for the UK, but for the EU as a whole', a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

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