Newschannel 9 did a story on a potential Audi factory in Chattanooga. CRER director and chief economist Howard Wall provided his take:
“European companies also will face tariffs. I think currently, 15% is what they’ve negotiated, but all of this is open for exemptions for particular companies.”
“They seem to be trying to expand the amount that they produce overall and how much they sell in the U.S. I think they were looking to expand production, and even without tariffs, kind of partnering with the Volkswagen plant makes some sense,” Dr. Wall says.
If the Chattanooga area were to see this kind of expansion, Dr. Wall says it could have a big effect outside of the factory itself.
“It might be a bit muted compared to when Volkswagen came, because that was a big jolt. And this would be like adding on to that.”