Growing doubts are emerging within the Volkswagen Group regarding the stability of agreements between Audi and American representatives, following the recent joint appearance of Audi CEO Gernot Döllner and US President Donald Trump at a Republican Party campaign event in Georgia.
The uncertainty centers on the massive $4.2 billion investment planned by Audi in Georgia. The arrangement supposedly includes financial subsidies from the State of Georgia and potential customs tariff reductions secured from the Trump Administration. This situation is sensitive because, since last year, imports from the European Union into the United States have been subject to 15 percent protective tariffs.
According to reports from Handelsblatt, VW’s supervisory board has not yet received any binding contractual document or conclusive paper detailing the specifics of the arrangements involving Audi, Georgia, and the Trump administration. Sources within the corporation indicate that only declarations of intent have been provided thus far. Regarding the negotiations with the Trump administration itself, only a mutual agreement has been reached that they can “finalize details” after the interim elections scheduled for mid or late November.
