The eurozone economy will grow less than expected next year, the EU executive predicted on Monday, as risks from international trade and geopolitical tensions weigh on the single currency area.

The European Commission forecast the 20-country single currency area to grow by 1.2 percent in 2026, down from a previous forecast of 1.4 percent.

EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis said the EU expected US trade policy moves and responses by "key players like China will dampen global trade".

"The EU's highly open economy remains susceptible to ongoing trade restrictions and uncertainty," Dombrovskis told reporters in Brussels.

The bloc's executive, however, noted that US trade deals with partners including the European Union "alleviated some of the uncertainties".

Struck in July, the deal with

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