Auto groups urge Trump to keep Chinese carmakers out of US | WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) – Major auto trade groups urged the U.S. government to keep Chinese carmakers out of the country, according to a letter seen by Reuters, potentially complicating President Donald Trump’s planned summit with Chinese ​President Xi Jinping.

The groups raised “serious concerns about China’s ongoing efforts to dominate global ‌automotive manufacturing and to gain access to the U.S. market. These actions pose a direct threat to America’s global competitiveness, national security, and automotive industrial base.”

The five groups representing automakers, car dealers and parts manufacturers called for maintaining a 2025 Commerce Department cybersecurity regulation that effectively keeps nearly all Chinese vehicles ‌out ​of the U.S. market.

The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected ⁠the criticism, saying Chinese-made cars are ⁠popular globally “not by using so-called ‘unfair practices’ but by emerging from the fierce market competition with technological innovation and superb quality. China’s door has been open to global auto companies, including US auto companies who have fully shared in the dividends ​of China’s big market.”

The auto industry letter also criticized Canada’s announcement it would allow some Chinese vehicles into its market.

Trump is expected to visit China from March 31, ⁠as the world’s two biggest economies seek to ⁠maintain the stability that has characterized their relations since late last ​year, after a bruising period marked by Trump’s tariffs and China’s chokehold on rare earths ​exports.

“We also strongly urge the Administration to reject any attempt by Chinese ‌manufacturers to circumvent these existing restrictions by establishing production facilities in the U.S.,” said the letter, dated Thursday, from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Autos Drive America, the American Automotive Policy Council and MEMA, the Vehicle Suppliers Association.

“The market ⁠distortions and risks to the auto industry in the U.S. are fundamentally the same whether these vehicles are imported or produced domestically,” it said.

In January, Trump said he was open ⁠to Chinese automakers building vehicles ‌in the United States. “If they want to come in and ⁠build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and ​your neighbors, ‌that’s great, I love that,” he told the Detroit Economic ​Club.

In December, ⁠the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Ford, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Stellantis and other major automakers, said “China poses a clear and present threat to the auto industry in the U.S.” and urged Washington to prevent Chinese government-backed automakers and battery manufacturers from opening U.S. manufacturing plants.

(Reporting by David Shepardson and Parth Chandna; Editing by Alan Barona, Anna ​Driver and William Mallard)

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USPTO Expands Discretionary Framework

Key Takeaways

• The USPTO has formally expanded its discretionary framework. As of March 11, the Director will consider U.S. manufacturing footprint and small business status when deciding whether to institute IPR and PGR proceedings, for cases where the patent owner’s discretionary brief deadline has not yet passed.
• The Director is now weighing domestic investment and supply chain footprint, a shift that embeds real-economy policy considerations into institution decisions and could influence close cases.
• Petitioners and patent owners alike should build an early evidentiary record on U.S. manufacturing activity and small business eligibility and integrate those facts into their overall discretionary narrative.

USPTO Director John A. Squires issued a short policy memorandum on March 11 adding U.S. manufacturing footprint and small business status as explicit considerations in the Director’s discretionary analysis of whether to institute inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR) proceedings.

This update is best understood as the next incremental step in the post‑2025 discretionary institution framework — a framework that has moved well beyond “classic” Fintiv timing/overlap questions and now routinely incorporates broader reliance, efficiency and policy considerations. While the March 11 memo is not a wholesale recalibration of discretionary denials, it gives petitioners a new hook for potentially surviving discretionary denials and may signal a slight shift in the pendulum toward granting more petitions. 

What Changed on March 11

Director Squires announced that, when deciding whether to institute IPRs/PGRs, the Director will consider:

1. The extent to which products accused of infringement in a parallel proceeding are manufactured in the United States or are related to investments in American manufacturing operations;
2. The extent to which the patent owner’s competing products are manufactured in the United States; and
3. Whether the petitioner is a small business that has been sued for infringement of the patent at issue.

The memo also adds practical guidance on what counts as U.S. manufacturing/investment and how small business status will be evaluated:

• The Director will look beyond final assembly to include U.S.-made components and situations where products made in the U.S. are sent abroad for further processing.
• For method claims, the “relevant product” is the device used to carry out the method (e.g., a computer for a method of operating a computer).
• For “small business,” the Director will consider facts the parties raise, including SBA size standards and 37 C.F.R. § 1.27(a) (reduced-fee eligibility).

The memorandum applies to IPRs and PGRs where the patent owner discretionary brief due date has not yet elapsed.

Why These New Factors Matter in the Bigger Discretionary Picture

Discretionary institution decisions are now functioning as a policy gatekeeper, not merely a docket-management tool tethered to parallel litigation schedules. The changes from March 2025 and October 2025 centralized institution decisions at the Director level and expressly broadened the set of discretionary considerations to include settled expectations, changes in law, expert reliance and macro-level policy interests (economic, public health, national security). 

The March 11 memo is notable because it connects “investment” to the real economy, not just litigation timing or the passage of time. Historically, “investment” in the discretionary context often meant (i) court/party investment in a parallel proceeding (Fintiv factor 3) and (ii) reliance-type “settled expectations” that the Director has increasingly treated as meaningful once a patent has been in force for years (often argued around a six‑year benchmark). 

Now, the Director is explicitly inviting parties to brief a different kind of investment: domestic manufacturing operations and supply-chain footprint. That is a meaningful rhetorical and strategic shift, even if it will often operate as a “plus factor” rather than a standalone dispositive rule.

Finally, the memo reinforces a reality PTAB practitioners have been living with since 2025: discretionary outcomes are increasingly driven by case-specific factual showings made early, on a tight briefing schedule, and often in an environment where routine institution decisions may come as summary notices. The practical consequence is that discretionary briefing is becoming more like a mini-record-building exercise — and manufacturing footprint / small business status are exactly the type of issues that can swing outcomes when the Director views a case as otherwise close.

Practical Guidance: How to Brief this Effectively

For patent owners:

• Develop a clean evidentiary record on U.S. manufacturing of your competing products: where assembly occurs, where key components are made and what “further processing” occurs outside the U.S. (if any). The memo signals the Director will look beyond final assembly.
• If the accused products are imported or largely manufactured abroad, consider whether the record supports framing the dispute as one where AIA review would disproportionately benefit entities without U.S. manufacturing investment, a theme the memo expressly highlights.
• For method claims, be explicit about the relevant device/product used to perform the method and where that device is manufactured.

For petitioners (especially operating companies):

• If you have U.S. manufacturing operations, or are making concrete U.S. manufacturing investments, do not assume the Director will “find” that story without help. Put it in the discretionary record with supporting evidence.
• If you qualify as a small business, say so early and substantiate it (SBA size standards and reduced-fee eligibility are explicitly referenced).
• If you do not have a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint, anticipate that the patent owner may raise this memo offensively. Consider whether other discretionary factors (e.g., Fintiv timing, stipulations, strong merits, or changes-in-law arguments) need to be more thoroughly developed than in prior years. 

For both sides:

• Treat this as an additional layer on top of existing discretionary themes, not a replacement. The Director’s discretionary process is explicitly holistic and considers existing PTAB precedent plus other circumstances the parties raise. 
• Expect the other side to seek leverage from supply chain ambiguity (“assembled here, components there”) — so declarations and documentary support matter.

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GE Aerospace to invest $18M at Batesville facility

GE Aerospace to invest $18M at Batesville facility

Published 11:42 am Friday, March 13, 2026

GE Aerospace announced plans to invest $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing sites and suppliers in 2026, including $18 million at its facility in Batesville.

The investment will fund new and upgraded production equipment and tooling to expand ceramic matrix composite component manufacturing, along with additional inspection equipment and facility improvements. Ceramic matrix composite engine parts are about one-third the weight of traditional metal components and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees higher.

“What we make in Batesville goes a long way in helping power the newest narrowbody and widebody engines around the world, and this investment allows us to deliver for our customers, U.S. manufacturing, and the region,” said Matt Shambaugh, site leader for GE Aerospace in Batesville.

The Batesville site plays a key role in ramping up production of the CFM LEAP engine used on narrowbody aircraft and also produces components for widebody aircraft. Over the past three years, GE Aerospace has announced plans to invest more than $40 million in the Batesville facility.

The company also plans to hire 5,000 workers across the United States this year. More than 30 positions are currently open at the Batesville site.

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Agriculture and Manufacturing Leaders Urge Renewal of USMCA

Agriculture and Manufacturing Leaders Urge Renewal of USMCA | American Ag Network

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U.S. Launches Major Trade Investigation into Global Manufacturing Overcapacity | 2026 – News and Statistics

Mar 12, 2026

According to SupplyChainDive, the United States has initiated an investigation into the manufacturing policies of multiple nations to evaluate potential structural excess capacity and its effects on domestic industries. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is conducting this Section 301 probe, which includes China, the European Union, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Japan, and India.

The investigation will assess possible supply and demand imbalances, policies affecting wages, and barriers to market access. The USTR filing indicates that key trading partners have developed manufacturing capacity that exceeds both domestic and global demand incentives, leading to overproduction, persistent trade surpluses, and underutilized facilities.

Sectors identified as currently experiencing overcapacity and excessive production include automobiles, electronics, processed food, and semiconductors. The filing specifically cited electric vehicle production in China as surpassing demand, noting one manufacturer’s expanding distribution and production networks abroad. USTR Jamieson Greer stated that overproduction by trading partners displaces existing U.S. domestic production or prevents new U.S. manufacturing investment and expansion.

The agency will open a docket for public comments on March 17, with a hearing scheduled for May 5. This investigation adds to a series of Section 301 probes started in the last year. Following a Supreme Court ruling in February that eliminated a broad set of tariffs installed last year, Greer said the U.S. would launch these investigations on an accelerated schedule, with an expectation they could be completed within the next five months.

Trade analysts note that if the investigation concludes that foreign industrial policies are unreasonable or distort trade, the U.S. could respond with tariffs. The current administration has previously used Section 301 investigations to review trading practices of other nations, some of which resulted in levies.

1. 1. INTRODUCTION

   Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

   1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
   2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
   3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
   4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

   A Quick Overview of Market Performance

   1. KEY FINDINGS
   2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

   Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

   1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

   Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

   1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
   2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
   3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
   4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
   5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

   Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

   1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
   2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
   3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
   4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

   Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

   1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
   2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
   3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
   4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
   5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

7. 7. PRODUCTION

   The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

   1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

8. 8. IMPORTS

   The Largest Import Supplying Countries

   1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

9. 9. EXPORTS

   The Largest Destinations for Exports

   1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)
   3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2025) AND FORECAST (2026–2035)

10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

11. 11. COUNTRY PROFILES

    The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition
    PRO

    1. 11.1

       United States

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    2. 11.2

       China

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    3. 11.3

       Japan

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    4. 11.4

       Germany

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    5. 11.5

       United Kingdom

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    6. 11.6

       France

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    7. 11.7

       Brazil

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    8. 11.8

       Italy

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    9. 11.9

       Russian Federation

       • Market Size
       • Production
       • Imports
       • Exports

    10. 11.10

        India

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    11. 11.11

        Canada

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    12. 11.12

        Australia

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    13. 11.13

        Republic of Korea

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    14. 11.14

        Spain

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    15. 11.15

        Mexico

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    16. 11.16

        Indonesia

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    17. 11.17

        Netherlands

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    18. 11.18

        Turkey

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    19. 11.19

        Saudi Arabia

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    20. 11.20

        Switzerland

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    21. 11.21

        Sweden

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    22. 11.22

        Nigeria

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    23. 11.23

        Poland

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    24. 11.24

        Belgium

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    25. 11.25

        Argentina

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    26. 11.26

        Norway

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    27. 11.27

        Austria

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    28. 11.28

        Thailand

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    29. 11.29

        United Arab Emirates

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    30. 11.30

        Colombia

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    31. 11.31

        Denmark

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    32. 11.32

        South Africa

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    33. 11.33

        Malaysia

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    34. 11.34

        Israel

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    35. 11.35

        Singapore

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    36. 11.36

        Egypt

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    37. 11.37

        Philippines

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    38. 11.38

        Finland

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    39. 11.39

        Chile

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    40. 11.40

        Ireland

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    41. 11.41

        Pakistan

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    42. 11.42

        Greece

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    43. 11.43

        Portugal

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    44. 11.44

        Kazakhstan

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    45. 11.45

        Algeria

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    46. 11.46

        Czech Republic

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    47. 11.47

        Qatar

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    48. 11.48

        Peru

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    49. 11.49

        Romania

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

    50. 11.50

        Vietnam

        • Market Size
        • Production
        • Imports
        • Exports

12. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2025
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption, by Country, 2022–2025
    5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    8. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    11. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

13. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    3. Consumption, by Country, 2025
    4. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    5. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    6. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    7. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    8. Exports and Growth, By Product
    9. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    10. Production Volume and Growth
    11. Exports and Growth
    12. Export Prices and Growth
    13. Market Size and Growth
    14. Per Capita Consumption
    15. Imports and Growth
    16. Import Prices
    17. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    18. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    19. Production, by Country, 2025
    20. Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    21. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    22. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
    24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    26. Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    27. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    28. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2025
    30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)
    32. Export Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2025) and Forecast (2026–2035)

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White House boasts $4T in new U.S. investment as Trump pushes America First

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The White House is celebrating more than $4 trillion being invested by American companies to increase manufacturing and production on American soil since the start of President Donald Trump’s first term, falling in line with the president’s America First agenda.

Apple, Meta, Amazon and NVIDIA are among the companies listed on a press release from the White House from Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Thermo Fisher Scientific in Reading, Ohio, on Wednesday.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a biotech company, announced it would invest an additional $2 billion over the next four years to enhance and expand its manufacturing operations in the United States.

A total of 12 Artificial Intelligence companies have pledged close to $1.7 billion in investments in the United States.

More than 20 pharmaceutical and biotech companies have invested $375 billion in the United States. Johnson & Johnson announced a $55 billion investment over the next four years in manufacturing, research and development and technology.

Roughly 149,000 permanent jobs and 12,000 construction jobs are estimated to be created based upon these investments, the White House touted.

Apple tops the list as the most expensive investment in U.S. manufacturing and workforce training, pledging $600 billion. The company will be creating a manufacturing program to incentivize its suppliers to make their products in the United States.

Meta also pledged $600 billion in investments to support AI technology, infrastructure and workforce expansion in the United States.

Project Stargate, a company backed by Japan-based Softbank and U.S.-based OpenAI and Oracle, will make a $500 billion private investment in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure.

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Chemical manufacturing drives growth in US manufacturing sector, Census Bureau reports

Chemical manufacturing in the United States expanded between 2017 and 2022 even as the broader manufacturing sector saw a decline in establishments, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The agency said the chemical manufacturing subsector – responsible for producing products ranging from medicines and fertilizers to plastics, soap and ink – recorded notable gains in both the number of establishments and the value of shipments during the period covered by the latest Economic Census.

“Most people may not realize the close connection they have with the Chemical Manufacturing industry, but it’s a subsector that helps create commonplace products we all use, from ink and soap to plastics and medicine,” wrote Census Bureau supervisory survey statistician Lynda Lee and writer/editor Travis Shoemaker in the agency’s analysis.

Data from the 2022 Economic Census showed the number of U.S. chemical manufacturing establishments, classified under NAICS 325, rose 10.2% from 13,571 in 2017 to 14,961 in 2022. Over the same period, the total number of manufacturing establishments across all industries declined 1.7%, from 291,586 to 286,626.

The subsector also recorded growth in economic output. The value of shipments for chemical manufacturing increased 22.4%, climbing from about $735.9 billion in 2017 to $901.0 billion in 2022, though the figures were not adjusted for price changes.

According to the Census Bureau, increased industrial production in the pharmaceutical sector played a significant role in that growth. Production workers’ annual hours in the Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing industry increased from 270.1 million hours in 2017 to 341.6 million hours in 2022.

The North American Industry Classification System defines chemical manufacturing as the transformation of raw materials through chemical processes into new products. The range of activities includes processes such as refining oil into margarine and synthesizing plant compounds like willow bark into medicines such as aspirin.

Historical data from the Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics show the broader manufacturing sector experienced strong rates of new establishment creation until the early 1990s, when closures began to outnumber startups. 

Within chemical manufacturing, the rate of newly created establishments reached its highest level in 2022, while the rate of closures has also risen in recent years, with 2022 and 2023 marking the highest exit rates in two decades.

Employment trends tied to the industry were mixed. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of pharmacists increased about 28.1%, chemical engineers rose 54.5%, and chemists and materials scientists grew 24.8%. 

At the same time, the number of chemical technicians declined 2.2%. Employment in pharmacies and drug stores also fell by about 5.6% over the period, alongside a decline in the number of establishments in that industry.

Geographically, the chemical manufacturing workforce is concentrated in certain regions. Data from the Census Bureau’s 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey showed the largest shares of workers were located in the South, with about 334,398 employees, and the Midwest, with 242,706.

The agency also highlighted variations in market concentration across different chemical manufacturing industries. In petrochemical manufacturing, the four largest firms accounted for about 74.2% of the sector’s $77.6 billion in shipments in 2022, indicating a high level of concentration. 

By comparison, medicinal and botanical manufacturing was less concentrated, with the top four firms accounting for about 24.7% of the industry’s $13.9 billion in shipments.

The Census Bureau said the findings illustrate both the scale and complexity of chemical manufacturing, which plays a central role in producing a wide range of consumer and industrial products across the U.S. economy.

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Flex Announces U.S. Manufacturing Collaboration with AMD

Flex expanded its strategic collaboration with AMD to manufacture the AMD Instinct platform in the United States. This marks a significant milestone in strengthening domestic production of advanced AI and high-performance technologies.

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As part of the collaboration, manufacturing of the AMD Instinct MI355X platform is underway at Flex’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, with volume ramp expected next quarter. 

Flex will also support the next generation of AMD Instinct platforms to meet surging demand for large‑scale AI deployments across data centers.

“Partnering with AMD to manufacture AMD Instinct platforms in the U.S. marks an important milestone in advancing domestic AI infrastructure,” said Rob Campbell, President of Communications, Enterprise and Cloud, Flex. “By combining Flex’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, resilient supply chain, and U.S. footprint with AMD’s leadership in high-performance computing, we’re enabling customers to scale AI faster and with greater reliability.”

Flex manufactures the complete AMD Instinct platform, assembling eight AMD Instinct GPUs along with surrounding components into a single, high-density system design. Each platform undergoes rigorous factory testing and validation, including using advanced liquid-cooling hardware from Flex company JetCool.

“Expanding our U.S. manufacturing presence with Flex for AMD Instinct platforms is an important step in strengthening how we build and deliver for customers,” said Keivan Keshvari, senior vice president, Global Operations & Quality, AMD. “By growing a resilient, agile, and diverse supply chain, we are better positioned to meet AI demand and deliver at scale.”

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Boviet Solar Strengthens Position in U.S. Residential Solar Market with High-Efficiency PV Modules and Expanded Manufacturing

Boviet Solar has reaffirmed its position as a key technology partner for residential solar installations across the United States, supporting a wide range of projects including single-family homes, multi-family developments, and affordable housing communities.

The solar technology company, known for manufacturing high-efficiency monocrystalline photovoltaic cells and modules, provides solutions such as the Gamma Series™ monofacial and Vega Series™ bifacial PV modules designed for residential rooftop and community-level installations. These solutions aim to help homeowners, property developers, and housing authorities achieve energy independence, reduce electricity costs, and gain greater control over energy consumption.

According to the company, residential solar adoption in the United States continues to expand as rising utility costs and sustainability targets drive demand for reliable and durable rooftop systems. Solar installations in residential settings require strong performance, long-term reliability, and predictable energy production, making the selection of dependable module suppliers critical for ensuring long-term system value.

Boviet Solar’s Gamma Series™ modules, powered by advanced monocrystalline PERC and N-Type cell technologies, are designed to deliver high efficiency, improved low-light performance, and optimized rooftop energy generation. The modules are engineered with robust mechanical strength and high resistance to wind and snow loads, enabling reliable performance across diverse climate conditions in the U.S.

The company highlighted that dependable solar systems are particularly important for multi-family housing and affordable housing developments, where solar energy can help reduce operational costs and improve tenant affordability. By lowering common-area electricity expenses and stabilizing long-term operating budgets, solar installations can support property owners and housing authorities in meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals while expanding access to clean energy.

Boviet Solar’s PV modules have undergone independent validation through third-party testing and industry evaluations. The company’s modules have been recognized as Top Performers in the Kiwa PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard since 2019, demonstrating strong performance under rigorous stress testing. Additional factory and product assessments conducted by Black & Veatch have verified the company’s manufacturing quality and operational standards.

The company also maintains a comprehensive compliance portfolio, including certifications from TÜV covering RoHS, REACH, PFAS, TCPL, and TCSA standards. Its modules consistently achieve strong CEC PTC and STC ratings, confirming reliable real-world performance. Each module is backed by a 12-year product warranty (extendable) and a 30-year performance warranty, providing long-term assurance for residential installations.

Boviet Solar’s financial strength and bankability have also received recognition from major global institutions. The company has maintained Tier 1 status from BloombergNEF since 2017, while also receiving an A-Class Global Bankable Manufacturer ranking from Wood Mackenzie and a Top 10 Financial Stability score from Sinovoltaics.

To strengthen supply-chain resilience in the U.S. market, Boviet Solar is expanding its manufacturing footprint. The company is developing a 3.0 GW PV module manufacturing facility in Greenville, North Carolina, expected to be operational in 2025, along with a planned 3.0 GW PV cell manufacturing expansion targeted for 2026. These facilities are expected to shorten supply timelines, improve procurement certainty, support domestic content requirements under U.S. policies, and create skilled local jobs.

Commenting on the company’s role in the residential solar sector, Songul Atacan, Head of Global Brand and Marketing at Boviet Solar, said residential solar goes beyond electricity generation by enabling homeowners, developers, and communities to adopt reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

Boviet Solar also emphasized its commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices. The company operates under ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards, participates in the United Nations Global Compact, and follows supply-chain transparency measures such as the Solar Supply Chain Traceability Protocol, STS audits, and compliance with the UFLPA regulations. It also completes sustainability assessments through EcoVadis.

With gigawatts of solar modules already deployed across the United States, Boviet Solar aims to support residential solar installations that reduce household energy costs, lower carbon emissions, increase property value, and strengthen long-term energy security in communities.

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President Trump Secures Trillions in New U.S. Investments as Companies Expand American Manufacturing

Supporters of President Donald J. Trump say his America First economic policies are driving a massive wave of private investment back into the United States. Since the start of his second term, companies from around the world have announced major plans to expand U.S. manufacturing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, energy production, and advanced technology development.

Advocates of the administration say the investments demonstrate renewed confidence in the U.S. economy and a shift toward onshoring production, strengthening domestic supply chains, and creating American jobs. The announced investments collectively total trillions of dollars, with projects spread across dozens of states.

Below is a non-comprehensive list of companies and projects announcing new U.S.-based investments during President Trump’s second term.

• Apple – $600 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and workforce training while expanding domestic supply chains.
• Meta – $600 billion investment by 2028 to expand artificial intelligence technology, infrastructure, and workforce development in the U.S.
• Project Stargate (SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle) – $500 billion private investment in U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure.
• NVIDIA – $500 billion investment in U.S. AI infrastructure over four years, while manufacturing AI supercomputers in the United States for the first time.
• Amazon – $340 billion invested in the U.S. last year, plus $20 billion for cloud infrastructure in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina data centers, and $4 billion across small towns nationwide.
• Micron Technology – $200 billion investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, including facilities in Boise, Idaho, and Manassas, Virginia.
• IBM – $150 billion investment over five years in U.S. manufacturing and technology growth.
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) – $100 billion investment in U.S. chip manufacturing facilities.
• Johnson & Johnson – $55 billion investment in manufacturing, research, and technology, including a major facility in North Carolina.
• AstraZeneca – $50 billion investment in medicines manufacturing and research in the U.S.
• Anthropic – $50 billion investment in AI infrastructure, including new data centers in Texas and New York.
• Roche – $50 billion investment in U.S. research and manufacturing expected to create more than 1,000 permanent jobs and 12,000 construction jobs.
• Bristol Myers Squibb – $40 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, technology, and research operations.
• GSK – $30 billion investment in U.S. research, development, and manufacturing facilities.
• Eli Lilly – $27 billion investment to more than double U.S. drug manufacturing capacity.
• Hyundai – $26 billion investment, including a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana, creating roughly 1,500 jobs.
• Vantage Data Centers – $25 billion project to build a 1.4-gigawatt data center campus in Texas employing more than 5,000 workers.
• ADQ and Energy Capital Partners – $25 billion investment in U.S. energy and data center infrastructure.
• Google – $25 billion investment in AI and data center infrastructure.
• Blackstone – $25 billion investment in digital and energy infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
• Novartis – $23 billion investment to build or expand ten U.S. manufacturing facilities and create 4,000 jobs.
• John Deere – $20 billion investment over the next decade in American manufacturing expansion.
• DAMAC Properties – $20 billion investment in U.S. data centers.
• CMA CGM – $20 billion investment in shipping and logistics expected to create 10,000 jobs.
• Sanofi – $20 billion investment in research and manufacturing in the U.S.
• Venture Global LNG – $18 billion investment in a Louisiana liquefied natural gas facility.
• Woodside Energy Group – $17.5 billion investment in a new LNG facility in Louisiana.
• GlobalFoundries – $16 billion investment expanding chip manufacturing plants in New York and Vermont.
• FirstEnergy Corp. – $15 billion investment in energy infrastructure improvements.
• Nippon Steel – $14 billion investment in U.S. Steel operations, including a new steel mill.
• Stellantis – $13 billion investment to expand U.S. vehicle production by more than 50 percent.
• Gilead Sciences – $11 billion expansion of U.S. manufacturing investment.
• AbbVie – $10 billion investment over ten years, adding four new manufacturing plants.
• JPMorganChase – $10 billion investment supporting U.S. manufacturing growth.
• Merck & Co. – $9 billion investment in U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing, including new facilities in Delaware and North Carolina.
• PPL – $6.8 billion investment expanding power grid capacity.
• CoreWeave – $6 billion investment in data center expansion.
• Westinghouse – $6 billion investment to build ten nuclear reactors in the United States.
• Clarios – $6 billion expansion of domestic manufacturing operations.
• UCB – $5 billion investment for a new U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
• Ford – $5 billion investment in Kentucky and Michigan manufacturing facilities.
• Pratt Industries – $5 billion investment creating 5,000 manufacturing jobs across four states.
• Hanwha Group – $5 billion investment expanding shipbuilding operations in Philadelphia.
• GlobalWafers – $4 billion investment expanding U.S. semiconductor production.
• General Motors – $4 billion investment shifting vehicle production from Mexico and China to U.S. plants.
• Mitsubishi – $3.9 billion investment in American energy projects.
• Shintech – $3.4 billion expansion of a Louisiana chemical manufacturing facility.
• Regeneron and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies – $3 billion agreement to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing in North Carolina.
• Kraft Heinz – $3 billion investment upgrading U.S. food manufacturing plants.
• GE Appliances – $3 billion investment expanding manufacturing across five states.
• NorthMark Strategies – $2.8 billion supercomputing facility in South Carolina.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific – $2 billion investment expanding manufacturing operations.
• Amkor Technology – $2 billion semiconductor facility in Arizona, creating 2,000 jobs.
• Biogen – $2 billion investment in North Carolina manufacturing.
• Mars, Inc. – $2 billion expansion of U.S. manufacturing operations.
• GE Aerospace – $2 billion combined investment creating 10,000 jobs nationwide.
• Kimberly-Clark – $2 billion investment expanding manufacturing facilities, including a major plant in Ohio.
• Chobani – $1.7 billion investment, including a new dairy processing plant in New York.
• Oklo – $1.68 billion fuel recycling facility in Tennessee.
• Corning – $1.5 billion expansion of Michigan manufacturing, creating 1,500 jobs.
• Smithfield Foods – $1.3 billion pork processing facility in South Dakota.
• MP Materials – $1.25 billion rare earth magnet facility in Texas.
• First Solar – $1.1 billion solar manufacturing plant in Louisiana.
• Carrier – $1 billion investment creating 4,000 jobs.
• Cencora – $1 billion investment strengthening U.S. distribution networks.
• Siemens Energy – $1 billion expansion of grid and turbine manufacturing.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals – $1 billion investment expanding research and manufacturing.
• Vaxcyte – $1 billion U.S. vaccine manufacturing investment.
• Anduril Industries – $1 billion autonomous defense systems facility in Ohio.
• Live Nation Entertainment – $1 billion investment building 18 new music venues nationwide.
• Hitachi – $1 billion investment in American energy infrastructure, including a transformer plant in Virginia.
• Williams International – $1 billion aviation engine manufacturing facility in Florida.

Numerous additional companies—including Toyota, Lego, Samsung Biologics, Siemens, Abbott Laboratories, Anheuser-Busch, Whirlpool, Rolls-Royce, Philips, ABB, JBS USA, Pratt & Whitney, and many others—have also announced new manufacturing plants, technology facilities, or infrastructure investments across the country.

Supporters say the scale of the announcements reflects a broader trend of reindustrialization and renewed domestic manufacturing capacity, with hundreds of thousands of jobs expected to be created.

Economic analysts note that many large corporate investment decisions span several years and multiple administrations, but the administration’s backers argue the surge signals strong confidence in the American economy and workforce.

More investment announcements are expected as companies continue expanding U.S. operations.

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