By Jan Strupczewski

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The main issue in relations between the European Union and the United States is the EU taking on more responsibility for its own defence, while the trade dispute is only a distraction, the chairman of EU leaders Antonio Costa said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters ahead of talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Group of Seven leaders meeting in Canada next week and a NATO summit in two weeks, Costa said the 27-nation European Union should focus on the main issue.

“The main issue is the United States wanting to rebalance the burden sharing on European defence. This is the real main issue,” Costa said.

“The United States has legitimately decided that they have new strategic priorities and we need to agree with the United States how during t

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