Euro zone inflation eased below the European Central Bank's target last month, data showed on Tuesday, underpinning expectations for another interest rate cut this week, even as global trade tensions fuel longer-term price pressures.

Euro-area inflation eased more than expected, dipping below the European Central Bank’s 2% target and supporting the case for interest rates to be lowered further.

Economists polled by Reuters had been expecting the May reading to come in at 2%, which is the European Central Bank's target.