Politics
President Trump Announces Plans for ‘Largest Steel Plant in American History’ in Iowa
A $15 billion steel plant is coming to Iowa, according to an announcement from President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
“There’s a company known as Mesabi, and they’re going to make a big investment in a place called Iowa. I love Iowa. I won Iowa every time,” Trump said on Monday, September 28, per CBS News. “Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Mesabi Metallics will be building the largest steel plant in American history in the great state of Iowa.”
The new plant is expected to be fully operational by 2030, per CBS News. According to a White House press release, it will produce at least 7.5 million tons of steel per year and bring 1,750 permanent jobs to Iowa.
The iron ore for the plant will come from Mesabi’s new $2.5 billion iron ore mine in Minnesota, per MPR News.
Revitalizing domestic steel manufacturing is a key component of the president’s trade agenda, per CBS News, along with tariffs. A White House official told reporters Monday this will mark the first mega steel plant built in the United States since the ’60s, the outlet reported.
It comes just one month after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on all Canadian steel and automotive imports effective January 1, 2027, per CBS News, amid his trade war with the country.
“Canada has been ripping off the United States of America for years,” Trump wrote in part on Truth Social on August 24, telling companies, “Build in the U.S. and there are ZERO TARIFFS. Canada will be treated like a State no longer!”
“President Trump is delivering on his promise to rebuild American industry, re-shore manufacturing, and create new jobs,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement on Monday, per The Hill. “Today’s announcement underscores the President’s historic efforts to revitalize the U.S. steel industry — supporting local communities, strengthening supply chains, and protecting our national security. After decades of decline, this president is restoring America’s industrial competitiveness and securing trillions of dollars in new investment.”
