India, March 27 -- The European Union has expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision to impose 25 percent tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts.

"The automotive industry is a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and high quality jobs, through deeply integrated supply chains on both sides of the Atlantic," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

She reiterated her stand that tariffs are taxes - bad for businesses, worse for consumers equally in the US and the European Union.

Von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc will assess the U.S. announcement, together with other measures Washington is envisaging in the next days.

She added that the EU will continue to seek negotiated solutio...