Audi boss defends planned $4bn Georgia factory he unveiled with Trump amid anger from German unions facing job cuts

Germany's IG Metall union called Gernot Doellner's decision to stand beside President Donald Trump at a Georgia election rally 'hard to understand'. The union accused Trump of wanting to weaken Germany's car industry. Doellner hit back: 'If the American president invites you, you accept the invitation.' He insists the plan is 'not a decision against Germany', though Volkswagen's supervisory board must still approve it.

The plant near Macon would build 200,000 Q7, Q8 and Q9 SUVs a year.

Trump's tariffs cost Audi around €1.2 billion last year, as all its US cars are imported.

Some production is expected to move from Bratislava, Slovakia, to America.