Sigmar Gabriel, who's also Germany's economy minister, was quoted Monday by the daily Bild as saying such tariffs would make "the American auto industry worse, weaker and more expensive."
Trump had also claimed German automakers don't behave fairly because a lot of German cars are seen in the US, but few American cars in Germany.
Beyond that, Gabriel suggested more self-confidence in dealing with Trump. He said: "We're not weak and inferior.