Audi CEO joins Trump at Georgia rally

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner appeared alongside U.S.President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Georgia on Saturday.

German politicians condemn the appearance

Isabel Cademartori, a Social Democratic Party lawmaker and transport policy spokesperson, called it a disgrace.She accused Audi of validating Trump's strategy of using a trade war to shift jobs from Europe to the United States.

“Actively campaigning for an autocrat who is waging a trade war against Germany marks a new low for the VW Group.”

Union leader calls it unworthy and embarrassing

Christiane Benner, first chair of IG Metall, Germany's biggest industrial trade union, said Döllner violated the company's own internal policies requiring political neutrality. She called his actions highly embarrassing and politically unacceptable.

“Döllner is flagrantly violating the company's own internal policies, which explicitly mandate political neutrality in the lead-up to elections.”

Audi defends the investment as business strategy

Audi said in a statement Sunday that the U.S.offers considerable growth potential and local production is central to its comprehensive growth strategy.The company framed the investment as a long-term commitment to the United States.

“The U.S. offers considerable growth potential for Audi. Local production is a central component of a comprehensive growth strategy.”