The North Rhine-Westphalia Minister of Economics and Deputy Minister-President, Mona Neubaur (Green party), strongly criticized Audi CEO Gernot Döllner regarding his political campaign appearance with US President Donald Trump. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday, she stated that companies carry a responsibility that extends beyond their financial results. While it is certainly necessary for corporations to expand into international markets and achieve economic success, she emphasized that there is a difference in the signal sent when one chooses to stand on a stage with a particular figure. Neubaur described the joint appearance between the Audi CEO and Donald Trump as “highly problematic.”
She added that Döllner is not naive; he must recognize that participating in such events means he will likely be perceived as part of a political spectacle. She argued that this cannot simply be justified by economic interests alone. Large corporations, in particular, have a special duty: a responsibility to their employees, to the locations where they developed, and to the democratic values upon which our society and our social market economy are built. Neubaur concluded by stating that those who affirm commitment to these values must take them seriously, even when it becomes economically inconvenient.
