US president Donald Trump has hinted at a potential trade conflict with the EU after criticizing Europe's relationship with American exporters.

During a broad-ranging interview with ITV, the Republican president accused the EU of being "very unfair" on US companies, adding that this discontent could "morph into something very big" that would be "very much to [the EU's] detriment".

This maintains President Trump's combative stance on international trade relationships that he does not believe to be favorable enough to the US, having entered similar wars of words with the likes of China, Canada, Russia and Mexico.

Responding to the statement, European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas emphasized the EU's view that trade policy should be considered a win-win arrangement, rather than a "zero-sum game".

However, he also suggested the EU would be prepared to stand its ground in any trade conflict, saying: "The European Union stands ready to react swiftly and appropriately in case our exports are affected by any restrictive trade measures from the US."