‘EU must focus on economic growth’

THE United States was yesterday to push Europe to focus on encouraging economic growth rather than slashing budgets as world leaders gathered for G8 and G20 summit talks.

US President Barack Obama arrived in Toronto with a strong hand, just hours after American lawmakers reached a compromise deal on sweeping financial reforms aimed at preventing another global meltdown.

As he left for Canada, Obama said he hoped the talks would build on “efforts to promote economic growth, to pursue financial reform, and to strengthen the global economy”.