Obama: U.S., EU seek to avoid protectionism

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the United States and the European Union had agreed on the need to avoid trade protectionism.

Obama was speaking to reporters after White House talks with leaders of the EU, a major U.S. trading partner.

"We've reaffirmed our commitment to strong sustained economic growth ... and reaffirmed our intent to continue to expand trade and resist protectionist measures between the United States and the European Union," Obama said.

(Reporting by Alister Bull, editing by Jackie Frank)