European Union will take countermeasures to any US steps on introducing duties to cars produced inside the bloc, Reuters reports with reference to European Commission.

On Friday President Trump promised to apply 20% tariff to all cars assembled in EU. It happened one month after his administration initiated investigation on influence of cars imports on national security.

Index of European Auto Producers dropped after announcement, as well as US car manufacturers stocks, including Ford Motor Co and General Motors Co

At present tariff 2,5% is imposed on passengers cars from EU. In case of pickup trucks this duty is 25%. In turn, EU uses 10% tariff to US import cars.

German producers Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG and BMW AG all have plants in the US. BMW is one of the largest employers in South Carolina.

US represents 15% of world sales for Mercedes-Benz and BMW brands. It equals to 5% for VW brand and 12% for Audi.