The euro got a fillip from a set of decidedly hawkish comments from European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet. Trichet said the ECB is in a state of "heightened alertness" on inflation risks in the euro area and it is possible rates could be increased by a "small amount" at the next Governing Council meeting. His comments come after the ECB left rates unchanged at Thursday's council meeting, with its key interest rate remaining at 4.00 percent. The news pulled the euro higher, having been under pressure earlier due to the dollar's gains. The euro was at $1.5493 from below $1.54 earlier.