Germany is liaising closely with the European Union on a U.S. threat to impose higher car tariffs, the Economy Ministry said, adding that the German government would not speculate about the timing of the U.S. decision.

"Our general point of view is clear: We need fewer tariffs, not more," the ministry said, adding that Germany was in favour of reaching an industrial tariffs agreement to reduce all tariffs in this sector to zero.

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told that she expects U.S. President Donald Trump to delay a May 18 deadline for U.S. tariffs on cars imported from the European Union.