First Solar (FSLR) Details Its US Manufacturing Push In New Responsibility Report

• First Solar released its 2026 Corporate Responsibility Report, outlining progress on domestic manufacturing expansion and R&D investment.
• The report highlights First Solar’s end to end control of its US based production and supply chain transparency.
• It also details sizable US capital spending and job creation as the company responds to heavily subsidized overseas competitors.

First Solar, traded as NasdaqGS:FSLR, is using this new report to explain how its US focused manufacturing footprint fits into the broader solar industry. The stock closed at $206.01, with a return of 17.9% over the past year and 124.9% over the past five years. Those figures help frame how investors might weigh this disclosure alongside past performance.

The company’s emphasis on vertically integrated, US based production and ongoing R&D spend gives investors a clearer view of how it is trying to build resilience around technology and supply chain control. This update also arrives at a time when US solar policy and support for domestic manufacturing remain important variables for the sector. Investors can use this report to refine their view of First Solar’s long term positioning in a contested global market.

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NasdaqGS:FSLR Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

4 things going right for First Solar that this headline doesn’t cover.

For First Solar, this 2026 Corporate Responsibility Report reads like a business update as much as a sustainability document. The company is linking its domestic manufacturing build out, end to end control of production, and US focused capital spending to how it thinks it can compete against heavily subsidized exporters such as LONGi, JinkoSolar, and other Asian manufacturers. Investors also have fresh hard numbers to anchor that story. For the second quarter of 2026, First Solar reported US$1,056.19m of sales and US$422.57m of net income, with earnings per share above the prior year. For the first half, sales were US$2,100.43m and net income was US$769.19m. Management also reaffirmed 2026 guidance and expects third quarter 2026 module sales of 3.9 GW to 4.5 GW, with the bulk from US facilities. Put together, the report suggests that the push into US manufacturing, backed by sizable capital spending and R&D, is not just a policy story. It is already tied into current profitability and volume expectations that investors can monitor from quarter to quarter.

How This Fits Into The First Solar Narrative

• The report underlines a key narrative catalyst, namely that US centered manufacturing and policy support can support demand and pricing for First Solar’s modules by reducing exposure to foreign supply chains affected by tariffs.
• It also highlights a risk already flagged in the narrative, specifically that heavy reliance on US incentives and trade rules leaves First Solar exposed if policies, tariffs, or domestic content rules change over time.
• The scale of capital spending, job creation, and detailed supply chain transparency outlined in the report may not be fully captured in previous narrative assumptions about execution capacity and operating complexity.

Knowing what a company is worth starts with understanding its story.
Check out one of the top narratives in the Simply Wall St Community for First Solar to help decide what it’s worth to you.

The Risks and Rewards Investors Should Consider

• ⚠️ Concentration on US policy support, including tariffs and tax credits, creates the risk that changes in legislation or enforcement could affect First Solar’s margins and demand for its domestically produced modules.
• ⚠️ Competing against low cost Chinese and other Asian manufacturers, whose capacity has been flagged as large enough to supply global demand for years, may keep pricing pressure high even with a differentiated US footprint.
• 🎁 The latest report, together with the second quarter and first half 2026 results, shows that First Solar is currently generating solid profitability while expanding domestic capacity and investing in R&D.
• 🎁 Analysts have highlighted 4 key rewards, including past earnings growth and expectations for future earnings growth, which some investors may see as supporting the case for continued interest in the stock.

What To Watch Going Forward

After this report, focus on how First Solar converts its projected US manufacturing output into sustained module sales within the guided 3.9 GW to 4.5 GW range and beyond. Track whether future quarters keep pairing sizable US capital spending and R&D with healthy net income, as seen in the second quarter and first half of 2026. Policy remains central. Any updates to US tariffs, tax credits or domestic content rules will feed directly into the economics of its end to end US supply chain. Competitive responses from peers such as LONGi and JinkoSolar, including pricing and new technologies, also matter for assessing how differentiated First Solar’s model really is over time.

To ensure you’re always in the loop on how the latest news impacts the investment narrative for First Solar, head to the community page for First Solar to never miss an update on the top community narratives.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data
and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your
financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data.
Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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3 U.S. Manufacturing Stocks Linked To Data Centers And Reshoring

China’s latest manufacturing data has sent a clear signal. The official PMI slipped to 49.2 in July, which points to weaker factory activity, softer exports to the U.S., and pressure on retail sales and jobs. At the same time, Chinese policymakers are talking up extra fiscal support and pro growth measures. For U.S. investors, this mix of softer demand abroad and potential policy support at home and overseas can change how industrial and manufacturing stocks are priced. This article looks at 3 U.S. industrial and manufacturing stocks from our screener that are closely tied to this news backdrop.

Overview: Comfort Systems USA is a Houston based contractor that designs, installs, and services heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings across the U.S., with a growing focus on complex projects such as data centers and healthcare facilities.

Operations: Comfort Systems USA generates about US$8.0b from Mechanical Services and US$3.2b from Electrical Services, with all reported revenue of roughly US$11.2b coming from the United States.

Market Cap: US$53.4b

Comfort Systems USA provides direct exposure to the build out of AI ready data centers and other high specification facilities. A reported record US$14.1b backlog supports revenue visibility into 2027, alongside strong recent earnings momentum. The push for onshoring, resilient U.S. infrastructure, and modular construction aligns with its capabilities in complex mechanical and electrical work, while growing recurring service revenue can help smooth cycles. At the same time, heavy reliance on large technology projects, tight skilled labor markets, and higher leverage introduce execution risk if demand slows or costs rise. The combination of rapid growth, high returns on equity, and these pressure points makes FIX a stock worth watching closely as conditions in manufacturing and construction continue to evolve.

Comfort Systems USA’s surge into AI ready data centers and complex projects has many investors focused on growth, rather than the full risk reward picture. Get the 4 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

NYSE:FIX Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

Overview: Dana Incorporated is a Maumee, Ohio based supplier of powertrain, driveline, and energy management components for light and commercial vehicles, including axles, driveshafts, transmissions, electric drive systems, and thermal and sealing products used across internal combustion, hybrid, and electric platforms worldwide.

Operations: Dana generates about US$5.4b from its Light Vehicle segment and US$2.4b from Commercial Vehicle products, partly offset by roughly US$0.2b of inter segment eliminations.

Market Cap: US$2.9b

Dana provides exposure to U.S. and global manufacturing as automakers refresh trucks and off highway fleets for electrification and tighter efficiency standards. At the same time, China’s weaker export momentum increases the appeal of diversified North American suppliers. Analysts report expectations for strong earnings and revenue growth and see the stock trading well below their fair value estimates and price targets. However, the company is still reporting losses and carries funding and execution risks as it integrates the Eaton Mobility deal and pursues cost savings. For investors who can handle volatility, the mix of forecast profit improvement, electrification programs, and discounted valuation could make Dana a stock that merits closer consideration in the context of today’s supply chain realignment.

Dana’s electrification story and reported valuation gap are only part of what investors are talking about. See how the analyst forecasts for Dana stack up against funding needs and what the market might be missing.

NYSE:DAN Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

Overview: Gentherm develops thermal management and comfort systems such as heated and climate controlled car seats, steering wheels, and patient temperature management devices used in hospitals. Its products are used in high volume vehicle platforms and medical settings, aiming to make passengers and patients more comfortable while improving efficiency for manufacturers and healthcare providers.

Operations: Gentherm generates about US$1.53b from its Automotive segment and roughly US$49.4m from its Medical segment.

Market Cap: US$1.32b

Gentherm provides targeted exposure to higher value content in vehicles at a time when automakers are adding features that consumers can feel and are willing to pay for, from massage and climate seats to advanced battery and valve systems. The company’s profile reflects a mix of potential earnings growth drivers, including record automotive awards, expanding medical products, and possible benefits from shifts in global manufacturing and sourcing patterns. At the same time, margins are still thin, returns on equity are low, funding relies on external borrowing, and growth in Asia and newer markets is not yet proven. The balance of these growth opportunities, valuation signals, and execution risks is a key part of the current investment narrative around Gentherm.

Gentherm’s thin margins and low returns might be masking a bigger story around higher value content in cars and hospitals. See how the analyst forecasts for Gentherm could reshape that profile and what one weak spot might still be holding it back.

NasdaqGS:THRM Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jul 2026

The three U.S. industrial and manufacturing stocks in this article are only a starting point. Our full screen uncovers 19 more companies that have equally compelling stories running through the U.S. Industrial and Manufacturing Stocks screener U.S. Industrial and Manufacturing Stocks screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter most to you so you can focus on the highest conviction ideas in this theme.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data
and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your
financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data.
Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Apple commits more than $30 billion to US manufacturing

00:00 Speaker A

Last year, we made a $600 billion commitment to the US over four years, and now, as we said before, we plan to reinvest the tariff refunds we’ve received into the US.

00:09 Speaker A

We’re pleased with the progress we’ve already made advancing the American supply chain.

00:16 Speaker A

Earlier this month, Apple announced a new agreement with Broadcom to design and produce custom silicon components and cutting-edge wireless connectivity technologies.

00:27 Speaker A

The new multi-year agreement with Broadcom, which is part of Apple’s American manufacturing program, is expected to exceed $30 billion.

00:36 Speaker A

This marks our largest ever American manufacturing program commitment. It’s also an important step forward in our work to build an end-to-end silicon supply chain here in the US.

00:46 Speaker A

We’re excited for the upcoming opening of the Apple Advanced manufacturing Center in Houston.

00:52 Speaker A

The center is located in a facility where we currently assemble advanced AI servers.

00:59 Speaker A

Later this year, we’ll make Mac Mini there too.

01:03 Speaker A

The center will teach students, supplier employees, and business of all sizes the same innovative processes we use to make our products.

01:12 Speaker A

The goal is to empower American manufacturers to take their work to the next level and strengthen the entire advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

01:23 Speaker A

We have an exciting fall ahead and an incredible future beyond.

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South Carolina Clears Final Approval for $1.5 Billion Plasma Manufacturing Campus

South Carolina officials have granted the final state and local approvals needed for a major pharmaceutical manufacturing investment in Rock Hill. Octapharma has secured final state and local approvals for a $1.5 billion plasma-derived therapies manufacturing campus in Rock Hill, South Carolina, paving the way for the company’s first U.S. plasma fractionation and manufacturing facility. The project will create more than 1,500 full-time jobs and add new U.S. manufacturing capacity for plasma-derived medicines when commercial operations begin in the mid-2030s.

The project was announced by Octapharma in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Commerce following final approvals from state and local authorities, including York County and the City of Rock Hill.

Octapharma will develop the campus at Palmetto Research Park in Rock Hill, York County. The development will include a plasma fractionation and manufacturing facility and an administrative headquarters for Octapharma Plasma, the company’s U.S. plasma donation subsidiary. With final approvals now secured, the company plans to announce a groundbreaking date and a detailed construction schedule at a later time.

Project Will Expand Domestic Plasma Manufacturing

Octapharma aims to strengthen the U.S. supply chain for plasma-derived therapies by locating large-scale manufacturing closer to its domestic plasma collection network and the patients who rely on these medicines. Company officials said the investment will also expand the nation’s capacity to manufacture plasma-derived therapies domestically, supporting long-term supply chain resilience and emergency preparedness. The company chose South Carolina for its proximity to Octapharma’s existing plasma donation network, well-developed transportation infrastructure and skilled biomedical workforce.

Plasma fractionation separates donated human plasma into therapeutic proteins that manufacturers use to produce medicines such as immunoglobulins, albumin and clotting factor therapies. Healthcare providers use these plasma-derived medicines to treat patients with immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, neurological diseases and other serious medical conditions.

Support for the project

To support the project, South Carolina approved a $65 million Closing Fund grant to York County for site preparation, infrastructure improvements, construction-related work and road upgrades. The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development also approved Job Development Credits. Additional local incentive agreements, including any fee-in-lieu-of-tax arrangements or other tax abatements, have not yet been publicly disclosed.

“Our manufacturing capacity must evolve to support this ambition, and our U.S. manufacturing facility will be an important milestone,” Wolfgang Marguerre, chairman and CEO of Octapharma, said in a statement. “From a U.S. national security perspective, having the ability to produce and supply our therapies domestically is invaluable.”

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said the investment reinforces the state’s position as a destination for advanced manufacturing and life sciences investment while creating new employment opportunities for South Carolina residents.

Growing Investment in U.S. Plasma Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical manufacturers continue to invest in U.S. production as they strengthen domestic supply chains for essential medicines. Companies including CSL Behring, Grifols and Takeda have expanded their U.S. plasma collection and manufacturing operations in recent years to meet growing global demand for plasma-derived therapies. The United States supplies most of the world’s source plasma because federal regulations allow compensated plasma donation, giving manufacturers access to a reliable donor base and making domestic production increasingly important to the global plasma industry.

Octapharma has not disclosed which specific plasma-derived products will initially be manufactured at the Rock Hill campus. Its existing portfolio includes immunoglobulins, albumin, clotting factor therapies and fibrin sealants. Before commercial production begins, the facility will be subject to applicable U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspections and biologics manufacturing approvals. The company has also not publicly detailed the phased construction and regulatory milestones behind its projected mid-2030s operational start.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma develops plasma-derived and recombinant protein therapies and operates approximately 200 plasma donation centers across the United States through Octapharma Plasma. The Rock Hill campus will represent the company’s first plasma manufacturing operation in the U.S., marking a major expansion of its North American manufacturing footprint.

What’s Next

With approvals now secured, Octapharma can move forward with completing the property acquisition and preparing the site for construction. Additional project milestones, including groundbreaking and construction schedules, are expected to be announced as development progresses.

As pharmaceutical companies expand domestic manufacturing capacity for critical medicines, the Octapharma project joins other major U.S. life sciences investments aimed at strengthening healthcare supply chains. Another notable example is the $4.5B Eli Lilly medicine foundry in Indiana’s LEAP District, where Eli Lilly is developing a next-generation pharmaceutical manufacturing campus designed to accelerate medicine production through advanced manufacturing technologies. Together, the two projects highlight the broader trend of pharmaceutical companies investing billions of dollars in new U.S. manufacturing capacity to improve supply chain resilience and meet growing demand for advanced therapies.

Factsheet: Octapharma First U.S. Plasma Manufacturing Campus

• Developer: Octapharma AG
• Investment: $1.5 billion
• Location: Palmetto Research Park, Rock Hill, York County, South Carolina
• Facility Type: Plasma fractionation and manufacturing facility with an administrative headquarters
• Jobs Created: More than 1,500 full-time positions
• Construction Status: Final state and local approvals secured
• Groundbreaking: To be announced
• Projected Operations: Mid-2030s
• State Incentives: $65 million Closing Fund grant and Job Development Credits
• Primary Purpose: Expand U.S. manufacturing of plasma-derived therapies and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience
• Regulatory Status: Subject to applicable FDA inspections and biologics manufacturing approvals before commercial production
• Company Founded: 1983
• Headquarters: Lachen, Switzerland
• U.S. Plasma Collection Network: Approximately 200 plasma donation centers
• Significance: Octapharma’s first plasma fractionation and manufacturing facility in the United States.

Source: constructionreviewonline.com All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

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Octapharma to build $1.5 billion state-of-the-art critical care manufacturing facility in Rock Hill, SC

New 50-acre campus will be one of the largest private biomedical investments in state’s history, bringing 1,500 jobs to South Carolina

Manufacturing facility will establish domestic production of Octapharma’s plasma-based therapies and products of national security concern, reducing dependency on overseas supply chains

PARAMUS, N.J., July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Octapharma, the largest privately owned and independent plasma fractionator in the world, has formally announced plans to establish its first-ever United States-based manufacturing and production site at the Palmetto Research Park in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The $1.5 billion project is expected to bring 1,500 full-time jobs to South Carolina, making this one of the largest private biomedical investments in the state’s history.  

Once operations commence, this facility will produce critical, life-saving medicines from Octapharma’s portfolio of plasma-derived therapies, strengthening the domestic biomedical supply chain while also complementing the company’s global manufacturing capabilities. Octapharma’s Rock Hill site will also produce bleeding management and trauma care products for national security and emergency preparedness needs.

Today’s announcement follows a thorough planning and zoning process coordinated with officials from Rock Hill and York County, and close partnership with local, state and federal leaders. 

“We expect significant future growth, driven by our existing life-saving therapies and a strong pipeline of new products,” said Wolfgang Marguerre, CEO and Chairman, Octapharma. “Our manufacturing capacity must evolve to support this ambition, and our US manufacturing facility will be an important milestone. From a US national security perspective, having the ability to produce and supply our therapies domestically is invaluable.”

“We have built a significant presence in the US over the last 20 years through our commercial capabilities, alongside our extensive network of plasma donation centres,” said Tobias Marguerre, Deputy Chairman, Octapharma. “As the demand in the US for our portfolio of products continues to grow, the new US manufacturing site will bring production of our FDA-approved therapies closer to both the plasma donated in the US, and to the patients who rely on them.”

Octapharma’s Commitment to Rock Hill
South Carolina’s leadership and Octapharma share a commitment to biomedical innovation, domestic supply chain resilience, and long-term economic investment in the surrounding community. 

With its proven infrastructure for advanced manufacturing, access to deep-water ports and proximity to major logistics networks, Rock Hill was selected as an ideal location for Octapharma’s first US facility. Additionally, South Carolina’s strong pipeline of biomedical and life sciences talent, supported by top-tier technical colleges and universities, will provide the workforce needed to support clean, efficient biopharmaceutical manufacturing at scale.

“Octapharma appreciates the good-faith work of every elected official and staff member in York County and Rock Hill who helped bring this to fruition,” said Flemming Nielsen, President, Octapharma USA. “We also want to thank Governor McMaster and South Carolina’s federal and state delegation for their support in welcoming Octapharma to the Palmetto State. South Carolina’s talented workforce, strong life sciences ecosystem, and pro-business environment made it clear this was the right home for our first US manufacturing facility.” 

More details regarding a groundbreaking ceremony and construction timeline will be released at a later date.  

To view the full release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, please click here.  

About Octapharma
Octapharma is one of the world’s largest human protein manufacturers, developing and producing therapies from human plasma and human cell lines. Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma has over 11,000 employees and serves patients in 117 countries across Immunotherapy, Hematology, and Critical Care. Octapharma has 190 plasma donation centers across the United States 

With seven R&D sites, five manufacturing facilities in Europe, and more than 200 plasma donation centers in the US and Europe, Octapharma has delivered trusted therapies for over 40 years. The company is committed to improving lives through innovation, quality, and a deep focus on patient care and clinical partnership. To learn more please visit www.octapharma.com. 

Media Contact:
Michael Steier
[email protected]
+1 (551) 410-7797

SOURCE Octapharma

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SEIA Unveils Cybersecurity Roadmap to Strengthen US Solar, Energy Storage and Domestic Inverter Manufacturing

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released a new report outlining the solar and energy storage industry’s priorities for strengthening cybersecurity while expanding domestic manufacturing capacity for clean energy technologies across the United States.

The report comes as US solar and battery energy storage manufacturing continues to grow, with domestic inverter manufacturing capacity having nearly tripled since the end of 2024.

According to SEIA, the report identifies key cybersecurity considerations for the solar and energy storage sector, recommends measures to improve industry resilience, and provides guidance to help companies adopt cybersecurity best practices and standards as cyber threats targeting the energy sector continue to evolve.

“As solar and storage continue to lead the way in adding new power capacity to the grid, cybersecurity must remain front and center,” said Tim Pawlenty, President and CEO of SEIA.

He added that the report outlines actions the industry is taking to strengthen US energy security, protect critical infrastructure and stay ahead of emerging cyber threats through secure and resilient energy systems and expanded domestic manufacturing.

As part of its strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, SEIA is also prioritising the development of resilient domestic supply chains. The association noted that the opening of a new inverter manufacturing facility in July has positioned the United States alongside the world’s second-largest inverter manufacturing markets.

The report outlines three key priorities for the industry:

-Expanding domestic solar and energy storage manufacturing through resilient supply chains, greater transparency and trusted manufacturing capacity.
-Strengthening baseline cybersecurity by promoting consistent industry practices and national guidance for distributed energy resources.
-Improving threat visibility and coordination through enhanced information sharing and better risk communication across the industry.

SEIA said the recommendations are intended to support a more secure and resilient solar and energy storage industry while reinforcing the role of renewable energy in strengthening the nation’s critical energy infrastructure.

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Philip Morris Opens $1.2 Billion Manufacturing Campus In Colorado

Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses have opened a new manufacturing campus in Aurora, Colorado, representing a planned investment of approximately $1.2 billion between 2024 and 2028.

The facility began commercial production in July 2026 and manufactures ZYN nicotine pouches. It joins PMI’s existing U.S. manufacturing operations in Owensboro, Kentucky, and Wilson, North Carolina.

Located on a 148-acre property, the approximately 780,000-square-foot campus is PMI’s first newly constructed manufacturing and production complex in the United States. The company said the project progressed from the start of construction to commercial shipments in approximately 19 months.

PMI initially announced the Aurora development as a $600 million project in 2024. The planned investment has since doubled as the company added production capacity, expanded the site and introduced additional infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.

Approximately $1 billion of the planned $1.2 billion investment has already been incurred. The remaining capital is expected to support further development through 2028 as PMI responds to demand for ZYN in the United States and prepares the facility to serve international markets.

The campus integrates manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and distribution within one location. This structure is intended to improve operational efficiency and strengthen PMI’s supply chain by reducing reliance on any single production facility.

The Aurora operation is also being positioned as an export hub serving markets across Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

PMI expects the campus to directly employ approximately 500 people in production, engineering, quality control, technical and support roles.

Construction was projected to support nearly 5,000 jobs and generate close to $1 billion in economic activity. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately $550 million in annual economic impact and support about 1,000 indirect jobs, according to an economic study cited by PMI.

The company has also contributed more than $1.5 million to Colorado organizations since 2024, including groups supporting veterans, utility assistance and workforce education.

The facility’s opening follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of 20 ZYN products as modified-risk tobacco products in June 2026. The authorization allows PMI to communicate specified reduced-risk information relative to cigarettes under the conditions established by the agency.

KEY QUOTE:

“This facility expands our production capacity, strengthens our supply chain, and enhances our ability to serve growing demand in the United States and around the world.”

Stacey Kennedy, CEO of PMI U.S.

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China Tightens Its Grip on Global Manufacturing as US Share Slides to 17%

China now accounts for roughly 28 per cent of all manufacturing produced worldwide, a share that has more than tripled since 2004. China’s manufacturing value-added reached $4.66 trillion, representing 28 per cent of the global total, more than the next three largest manufacturing economies combined: the United States, Japan and Germany.

Over the same two decades, the United States has slipped from producing about a fifth of global manufacturing output to around 17 per cent. The gap between the two economies has widened sharply, leaving China as the world’s dominant industrial power by a wide margin, even as Washington insists it is closing the distance.

Two Decades of Diverging Fortunes

China’s manufacturing base has expanded at extraordinary speed since the mid-2000s. Its manufacturing value added climbed from around 625 billion US dollars in 2004 to nearly five trillion dollars, a rise of close to 700 per cent.

That growth has coincided with China becoming the world’s principal exporter of everything from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and industrial machinery. Cheap, large-scale production allowed Chinese manufacturers to undercut competitors on price while steadily climbing the value chain into more advanced goods.

The trend has been widely discussed in financial circles. A chart based on World Bank manufacturing data was shared on X by markets commentary account The Kobeissi Letter, highlighting how far China has pulled ahead of the United States, Eurozone and Japan combined. China produced an estimated 4.66 trillion dollars in manufacturing value added in the latest World Bank reading, with the United States ranking second at 2.5 trillion dollars.

BREKAING: China now accounts for ~28% of global manufacturing, more than any other country or economic bloc.

This percentage has more than tripled since 2004.

By comparison, US factories account for ~17% of global manufacturing value added, or 11 percentage points less than… pic.twitter.com/2vwnnFu6Za

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) July 27, 2026

How the Eurozone and Japan Lost Ground to China’s Factory Floor

The Eurozone’s collective share of world manufacturing has also declined over the past two decades, settling at around 15 per cent. Japan’s share has fallen further still, to roughly 5 per cent, showing the shift in global industrial output is not confined to the United States alone.

Together, the figures point to a broader rebalancing of global industry rather than a single country’s decline. Western economies have increasingly shifted toward services, finance and technology, while heavy manufacturing has concentrated in China and, to a lesser extent, other parts of Asia.

Trump’s Manufacturing Pledge Faces a Widening Gap

The widening gap comes despite President Donald Trump’s repeated pledges to revive American industry through tariffs. Following his April tariff announcement targeting dozens of countries, Trump said factories and jobs would come roaring back, framing the levies as central to restoring United States manufacturing strength.

The picture on the ground is contested. The White House says factory activity has hit a four-year high, pointing to pledges from firms including AstraZeneca and GlobalFoundries to expand United States production.

Independent trackers tell a different story. Consultancy Kearney’s annual Reshoring Index remained in negative territory in 2025 despite a surge of tariffs aimed at reviving American assembly lines.

The Kearney data stands in contrast to the administration’s projections and the World Bank’s global output figures, underscoring how far United States manufacturing still lags behind China’s industrial base.

Why Tariffs on China Could Still Hit UK High Street Prices

For shoppers, China’s expanding manufacturing base helps explain why goods ranging from electronics to clothing and electric vehicles remain widely available and competitively priced on British and European high streets. Lower production costs in China have kept many everyday items affordable for years.

The flip side is a growing dependence on Chinese supply chains. This can leave consumers exposed to price rises, delivery delays or shortages if trade tensions, tariffs or export restrictions disrupt manufacturing, a risk already visible in recent disputes over semiconductors and rare earth materials.

Any renewed tariff escalation between Washington and Beijing could ripple through to the cost of goods on United Kingdom shelves, given how tightly global supply chains are now tied to Chinese factories.

China’s expanding share of global manufacturing reflects a structural shift in the world economy, not a short-term trend. It carries consequences for industrial jobs, trade policy and the prices consumers ultimately pay for everyday goods across Western economies, including the United Kingdom, even as the Trump administration disputes how far its own reshoring push has closed the gap.

Originally published on IBTimes UK

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AI demand, U.S. tariffs reshape South Korean manufacturing

An engineer walks inside a laboratory of Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute at a Science park in Hsinchu county, Taiwan. Photo by RITCHIE B. TONGO/ EPA

July 27 (Asia Today) — Growing artificial intelligence demand and stronger trade barriers are rapidly reshaping the production and supply chains of South Korea’s major manufacturing industries, the Bank of Korea said Monday.

The central bank said Taiwan has become South Korea’s second-largest semiconductor export destination as the AI supply chain draws Korean memory-chip producers closer to Taiwanese manufacturers.

Meanwhile, South Korean automakers are increasing production in the United States and expanding hybrid vehicle exports as tariffs and U.S. industrial policies make direct exports less competitive.

The findings were included in the Bank of Korea’s Map of Production and Supply Chains for South Korea’s Major Manufacturing Industries. The report used data from 2024 and 2025 to examine 11 industries, including semiconductors, automobiles, steel, shipbuilding and petrochemicals.

South Korean semiconductor exports to Taiwan nearly tripled from $12.78 billion in 2022 to $36.77 billion in 2025.

Taiwan’s share of South Korea’s semiconductor exports increased from 9% to 19.9%, moving it from the fourth-largest export destination to the second largest.

China remained the largest destination, but its share fell from 53.1% in 2022 to 40.3% in 2025.

The central bank attributed the change to a shift in demand from conventional dynamic random-access memory chips to graphics processing units and high-bandwidth memory used in AI systems.

The AI semiconductor supply chain generally involves U.S.-based Nvidia designing graphics processors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. producing and packaging the chips and Samsung Electronics and SK hynix supplying high-bandwidth memory.

That structure has increased the volume of South Korean semiconductor products shipped to Taiwan.

Semiconductors have also become more important to South Korea’s overall manufacturing sector.

Domestic semiconductor production rose from 74 trillion won in 2014 to 210.8 trillion won in 2024 ($50.4 billion to $143.6 billion). Its share of total manufacturing production doubled from 5% to 10.1% during the same period.

Production remains heavily concentrated in the greater Seoul area, which accounted for 82.3% of the national total. The Chungcheong region accounted for another 14.7%.

Major facilities in the Seoul metropolitan region include Samsung Electronics plants in Hwaseong, Pyeongtaek and Giheung and SK hynix’s plant in Icheon.

China’s growing influence was most apparent in South Korea’s automobile import market.

The share of vehicle imports from China increased from 3.5% in 2022 to 37.2% in 2025. Chinese-made vehicles accounted for about 70% of South Korea’s electric vehicle imports by value in 2025.

The report attributed the increase to China’s price competitiveness and its extensive supply chain covering vehicles, batteries and components.

The United States remained South Korea’s largest automobile export market in 2025. Shipments were valued at $30.15 billion and accounted for 41.9% of total finished-vehicle exports.

However, the United States’ share of South Korea’s electric vehicle exports fell from 33.6% in 2022 to 5.2% in 2025.

The central bank said U.S. subsidies, local production requirements and tariff barriers had weakened the competitiveness of electric vehicles manufactured in South Korea and shipped directly to the United States.

South Korean automakers have responded by expanding U.S. factory operations while increasing exports of hybrid vehicles.

Hybrids’ share of South Korea’s finished-vehicle exports rose from 11.6% in 2022 to 20.4% in 2025.

The shift reflects automakers’ efforts to respond to slowing electric vehicle demand and insufficient charging infrastructure by offering vehicles that combine electric motors with internal combustion engines.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260727010009651

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