BERLIN, April 23 (Xinhua) -- President of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the country's engineering trade body, on Monday strongly criticized the protective trade policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking at the Hannover Trade Fair, VDMA president Carl Martin Welcker expressed "great concern" over Washington's recent announcement of new tariffs on imports. "The biggest risk for industry these days is growing nationalism and protectionism," a statement by Welcker read.

The VDMA president said measures adopted under Trump's "America First" doctrine could not be justified under existing World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations and would undermine the stability of the Geneva-based institution.

He warned the United States against turning its back on the WTO, which provids the foundation for international rules-based trade.