The EU has referred Argentina to the World Trade Organisation over what it says are unacceptable import restrictions.

European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht announced the move on Friday, as a trade row escalates between Brussels and Buenos Aires after Argentina nationalised the Spanish stake in the YPF energy company, which was owned largely by Spain's Repsol.

He told reporters that Argentina has "tightened the screws" on already restrictive measures, requiring foreign companies to adhere to a "complex and bureaucratic registration process" on all products.

The import curbs affected European exports across a wide range of products, including cars, household appliances, laptops and mobile phones, said De Gucht.