WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The European Union can support U.S. efforts to keep the U.S. auto industry from collapsing as long as the aid does not give the companies a competitive trade advantage, a top EU official said on Friday.
"We cannot have an interest to see the U.S. automobile industry collapse," European Commission Vice President Gunter Verheugen told reporters after a meeting with U.S. officials.
A collapse of the U.S. automakers "would have very serious repercussions for European affiliates," he said. (Reporting by Doug Palmer; editing by Gary Crosse)