The European Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate for an eighth time, aiming to support businesses and consumers with more affordable borrowing as U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war threatens to slow already tepid growth.

If the European economy weakens further then the European Central Bank might cut interest rates again, policymaker Yannis Stournaras told Bloomberg TV in an interview on Friday, adding that "this is not expected".

The ECB has cut interest rates for the eighth time in a year by one-quarter of a percentage point, which brings its rate down from 2.25% to 2%