The continent’s economy continued to limp along, expanding just 0.4 percent in the latest quarter, dragged down by a loss of competitiveness.

Europe struggled to turn around its economic fortunes in autumn, as Germany, the region’s powerhouse, reported weak growth, offsetting stronger expansion in the continent’s southern countries, the European statistical agency reported on Wednesday.

Economic output in the 20 countries that use the euro grew 0.4 percent from July to September versus the previous quarter. Compared with a year earlier, the eurozone grew 0.9 percent.

The anemic pace is keeping Europe behind the United States, where the economy grew at an estimated 2.8 percent annualized rate in the third quarter, powered by consumer spending and investment.

“Europe’s recovery is falling short of its full potential,” Alfred Kammer, director for the region at the International Monetary Fund, warned last week at a meeting in Washington.

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