Germany’s IG Metall union criticized Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner for appearing Saturday with President Donald Trump at a Republican rally in Georgia where Trump announced a multi-billion-dollar Audi factory^1,3.

Union president Christiane Benner called the appearance embarrassing and said it breached Audi’s political neutrality^1,3. DW reported Audi’s April code of conduct, signed by Döllner, bars public appearances with parties or candidates in the three months before an election³.

Trump said the Macon-area plant would produce about 200,000 vehicles a year; Audi has spoken of thousands of U.S. jobs^1,3. Benner said Volkswagen’s supervisory board has not given final approval^1,3.

Audi said a delegation in Georgia was asked to present the plans with the U.S. president and accepted “solely with Audi’s best interests in mind,” while acknowledging the announcement could be seen as a political signal³. Lower Saxony Premier Olaf Lies, whose state is a major Volkswagen shareholder, said a campaign rally was the wrong venue³.

The announcement landed as Volkswagen pursues cost cuts in Germany, including pressure on Audi’s Neckarsulm plant¹.