Germany calls for retaliation against 'illegal' US sanctions on Russia

New penalties against Moscow proposed by US lawmakers violate international law and officials in Brussels should consider countermeasures, the German economy minister said on Monday.

"We consider this as being against international law, plain and simple," Brigitte Zypries told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain.

"Of course we don't want a trade war. But it is important the European Commission now looks into countermeasures," she added.

According to the minister, "the Americans can not punish German companies because they operate economically in another country."

Last week, both chambers of the US Congress decided to impose new sanctions against Russia over its Crimea reunification and alleged meddling in US elections. The bill has still to be signed by US President Donald Trump. This is the first time Washington has made a...