FRANKFURT, Germany, June 3 -- Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro fell to 1.9 per cent in May from 2.2 per cent in April, clearing the way for more rate cuts from the European Central Bank to support growth in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariff offensive.

Lower energy prices helped bring consumer prices in May to below the ECB's 2 per cent target for the first time since September. Increasing signs that inflation is back under control after a painful outbreak in 2021-23 leaves room for the ECB to turn its attention to worries about the impact of a slew of new import taxes on EU goods in the US that threaten to slow Europe's export-oriented economy.

Reductions in the ECB's benchmark rate, currently at 2.25 per cen...