Brexit clarity helped Germany avert recession - German economy minister

Increased clarity about Britain's planned departure from the European Union has helped Germany avert the danger of a recession, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said in remarks published on Friday.

Altmaier also said he expects trade tensions between the United States and the European Union to ease. Donald Trump and the European Commission have imposed tariffs on traded goods and the US president has threatened to impose levies on European cars and car parts.

"I don't think that the US president has a big interest in having a trade war with Europe one year before the election," Der Spiegel magazine quoted Altmaier as saying.