Speaking on the campaign trail in late September, Trump announced his desire to turn Germany's auto giants into American car firms.
"I want German car companies to become American car companies.
Trump has since announced plans to introduce new tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico in one of his first acts in office.
Rico Luman, senior sector economist for transport and logistics at Dutch bank ING, said Germany's auto sector appears to be significantly exposed to Trump's tariff threats.
"We are evaluating the tariffs Trump has proposed," a spokesperson for Volkswagen told CNBC via email.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Johnny Mercer, Brandon Bell, Donald Trump's, Trump, Europe wasn't, it's, Rico Luman, Luman, Michael Robinet, Elijah Nouvelage, Mercedes Benz
Organizations:
Presidential, Johnny, Johnny Mercer Theatre, Getty, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Benz Group, BMW, ING, Eurostat, ING Research, U.S, CNBC, Benz, P Global Mobility, Trump
Locations:
Savannah , Georgia, U.S, European, German, American, China, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Trump's, Germany, United States, Chattanooga , Tennessee, Wolfsburg, North America, Spartanburg , South Carolina