Germany is seeking to end a dispute between the United States and the European Union over President Donald Trump's decision to impose high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday.

Altmaier said he would discuss the issue with European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross at a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris this week.

"We need to try to avoid higher tariffs," Altmaier said.

Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium in March but the European Union has been granted exemptions until June 1.

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