US President Donald Trump is touting the tariffs as a win for American manufacturing. They are using Volkswagen AG’s plan to build Audi’s first US plant in Georgia to defend their trade policy. All this is happening less than two weeks before the midterm elections, in which the Republican Party faces a tough challenge to maintain its control of Congress.

According to Audi, the German automobile manufacturer plans to invest around $4.2 billion in the plant. This will create around 4,500 jobs and produce 200,000 vehicles annually. Its construction work is scheduled to begin next year and the target is to start production here in the early 2030s.

2 lakh cars will be produced

Speaking at a campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, in support of Republican candidates, Trump said Volkswagen Group-owned Audi would set up a factory near Macon. The proposed plant will produce two lakh cars annually. Trump said, “Just think, two hundred thousand cars a year.” This is incredible. He attributed this investment to his fee policy. However, its aggressive tariff policy is being criticized in the US.

4500 people will get jobs

Gernot Dolner, chairman of Audi’s management board, was also present on the occasion. He said the new plant will produce the company’s largest and most expensive sports utility vehicle (SUV). “This is a long-term investment, because we have confidence in the American market,” Dollner said. Audi said in a statement that this will be its first factory to be set up in Georgia. According to the company, construction work is planned to begin in 2027, while production is expected to begin in the early 2030s. The project will create approximately 4,500 employment opportunities.

Why is a victory in Georgia important for Trump?

The political stakes in Georgia aren’t limited to Senate battles. The state also has a tight race for governor between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson, which the Cook Political Report described as a toss-up contest. Former President Barack Obama is expected to campaign with Ossoff and Bottoms in Georgia on Wednesday.

Trump won Georgia in 2016 and 2024, but lost to Joe Biden in 2020. He then attempted to challenge the results—including forcing Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” the vote—resulting in charges of election interference, which were later dropped.