Doha: European stocks closed slightly lower at the end of trading Monday, as automakers affected by tariffs retreated after US President Donald Trump spoke of imposing high tariffs on the European Union (EU). However, gains in the financial and healthcare sectors limited losses. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed down 0.1 percent. Most major indices in the region also declined, with the exception of the UK's FTSE 100, which rose 0.6 percent.

According to Qatar News Agency, AstraZeneca, which rose 2 percent, provided the biggest boost to the UK index. The European auto sub-index declined, with shares in German companies BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz falling by about 2 percent each due to growing concerns about tariffs. The European Union (EU) accused the US of failing to respond to efforts to reach a trade agreement, vowing to retaliate if no agreement is reached to prevent the "totally unacceptable" tariffs that Trump said he would impose starting in August.

The losses were limited by a 0.5 percent rise in the eurozone banking sub-index.