FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German carmaker Volkswagen is considering setting up production sites in the United States for its high-end Audi and Porsche brands to avert fallout from tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump, Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing several people familiar with the deliberations, said the two luxury brands were seen as particularly exposed to any new U.S. trade barriers because, unlike the core VW brand, they currently do not produce in the U.S.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)