Top European officials are keeping a worried eye on the United States (US) government shutdown, saying it could pose a risk for the continent's fledgling recovery.
The US has the world's largest economy and close business ties with Europe. So the shutdown, which has seen some 800,000 federal employees put on furlough, could hurt growth in the region if Congress does not agree on a new budget deal within days.
The president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, said Wednesday that the shutdown "is a risk if protracted," though he added that "the impression is that it won't be".