Washington, Mar 16 (IANS): US President Donald Trump blocked some rules on auto emissions and fuel regulations put forward by the former administration, media reports said.

Trump used his meeting with auto executives and workers in the town of Ypsilanti in Michigan, to announce a restart of the review of vehicle fuel efficiency rules, or CAFE standards, that the auto industry has called for, ABC news reported.

In his speech, the president described the auto industry as a "wonderful business" that has been "hurt." Behind him was a sign that read "Buy American - Hire American."

"We're going to work on the CAFE standards so you can make cars in America again," Trump said. "We're gonna help the companies and they're gonna help you."

Trump repeated his warning to punish American companies that threaten to move their companies abroad.

"We've gone through it for many years, decades. Not going to happen anymore," Trump said. "And if it is, there's consequences to pay for the companies that desert us and fire our employees. There are consequences."

The rules put forward by the former President Barack Obama sought to raise the fleet average fuel efficiency to more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025 from 27.5 miles per gallon in 2010.