Trump Defends Tariffs and Announces Audi Plant in Georgia

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that German group "Volkswagen" has agreed to build a new factory for "Audi" cars in the state of Georgia, with investments he said amount to $4.2 billion, defending his policy based on imposing tariffs, considering that it contributed to attracting industrial investments to the United States.

Trump revealed the project during a rally in Perry, Georgia, as part of his efforts to support Republican candidates ahead of the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3, amid increasing pressure on the Republican Party due to rising living costs and declining presidential popularity, according to "Bloomberg".

Trump told his supporters that the new factory would have the capacity to produce 200,000 cars annually, describing the project as "the largest single investment in the modern history of the American car industry".

He added: "Without tariffs, they wouldn't come," considering that his trade policies contributed to pushing foreign car manufacturers to expand their investments within the United States.

A Factory Providing 4,500 Jobs
"Audi" announced that the new factory, with investments totaling approximately $4 billion, will provide around 4,500 jobs, with a production capacity reaching 200,000 cars annually.

The project is scheduled to begin implementation next year, with production starting in the early 2030s.

Audi Chairman Gernot Döllner, who participated in the rally alongside Trump, said the company intends to manufacture its largest and most luxurious SUV models in Macon, Georgia.

He added: "This is a long-term investment because we believe in the US market."

Bloomberg reported, citing a US official familiar with the talks, that "Volkswagen" plans to produce "Audi Q7", "Q8", and "Q9" models at the new factory.

The German group also intends to expand the "Scout Motors" factory currently being built in South Carolina, adding a production capacity of 25,000 cars annually for an unspecified model, according to the official who requested anonymity.

The announcement gives Trump an opportunity to promote his trade policies at a critical stage of the campaign, after facing criticism regarding the impact of tariffs on prices and inflation.

Fierce Competition in Georgia
The announcement came during Trump's second visit to Georgia within two weeks, as Republicans seek to seize the Senate seat held by Democrat Jon Ossoff.

Republican Representative Mike Collins is competing against Ossoff, amid indications of difficulty for Republicans in the race.

The average of polls collected by "RealClearPolitics" showed Ossoff leading by more than 8 percentage points, while the "Cook Political Report" classified the race as leaning Democratic, according to "Bloomberg".

These figures reflect broader challenges facing the Republican Party, amid declining approval ratings for Trump, and voters' focus on rising prices for goods and energy and weak wage growth.

The war with Iran also contributed to increased energy prices, placing additional pressure on American household budgets.

In an attempt to boost his party's chances, Trump intensified his participation in rallies across various states, seeking to mobilize Republican voters in races that could determine control of the House and Senate.

Richard Motes, one of the participants in the Perry rally, aged 61, said he welcomes the new "Audi" investment, adding: "I want jobs to come to Georgia."

But Chris Kapp, a former employee in the US Army National Guard, expressed hesitation about Trump's ability to help Republican candidates amid his declining popularity.

Kapp said he strongly supports the president, but believes some of his statements may harm the party.

Race for Governor
Georgia is also witnessing competition for the governorship between Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson, in a race classified by the "Cook" report as tied.

Former US President Barack Obama is scheduled to participate in a campaign event in the state on Wednesday in support of Ossoff and Bottoms.

Trump had won Georgia in the presidential elections of 2016 and 2024, but lost it to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, whose results he later challenged, promoting claims of fraud.

At that time, Trump pressured Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the votes he needed to win the state.

Trump and his allies were charged with attempts to interfere in election results, before the charges were later dropped.

Raffensperger said in an interview with Bloomberg TV earlier in October that he expects the state election results to be announced by midnight on Election Day, downplaying the significance of Trump's doubts about the integrity of the vote count.