Defense Department expands workforce development program to 3 states

The BuildFreedom.US initiative will extend to Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. The program launched in July and aims to bring awareness to “AI-proof” jobs in the defense industrial base’s talent pipeline.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 28, 2026

Federal judge blocks New Mexico’s PFAS label mandate

The regulation, which was set to begin Jan. 1, 2027, would have required manufacturers to label their products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances under a state law banning the chemicals.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 23, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Navigating Manufacturing Compliance Trends

Manufacturers must manage a quickly evolving landscape of regulations for packaging, chemicals, labor and more.

By Manufacturing Dive staff

GM delivers first PAC-3 components to Lockheed Martin

General Motors’ defense subsidiary provided the components 22 days after it signed an agreement with the weapons maker. 

By Sara Samora • Sept. 21, 2026

Gov. Newsom vetoes bill narrowing CEQA advanced manufacturing exemption

The legislation would have added hurdles and compliance costs for facility projects in the state, industry groups said.

By Jeff Kinney • Sept. 21, 2026

House passes trio of critical minerals bills, including battery updates

Other bills focused on recovering critical materials at contaminated waste sites and updating the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The National Association of Manufacturers previously said these bills aligned with its policy agenda.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 18, 2026

Fed hikes main interest rate by quarter point, citing stubborn inflation

The monetary tightening provoked criticism from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called on the Fed to cut the main interest rate regardless of price pressures.

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 17, 2026

Honeywell Aerospace settles with DOJ for $2M over cybersecurity claims

The agency accused the manufacturer of failing to comply with contract requirements that fall under DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to receive payments.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 14, 2026

Chemours, DuPont, Corteva reach $455 PFAS settlement with North Carolina

The agreement resolves contaminant claims that Chemours’ Fayetteville Works facility released into the water and air. The three chemical giants also established a $135 million reserve fund.

By Sara Samora • Sept. 11, 2026

Transportation secretary urges Ford to cut technology ties with China

In a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the DOT said it remains “deeply alarmed” by the automaker’s continued reliance on licensed technology from China-based battery manufacturer CATL.

By Eric Walz • Sept. 10, 2026

Trump escalates Canada trade war with new tariffs, import bans

The U.S.’ latest measures came the same day Canada started charging retaliatory tariffs matching levies the Trump administration installed last month.

By Antone Gonsalves • Sept. 9, 2026

DOJ asks judge to dismiss Oklahoma AG’s aluminum smelter lawsuit

The agency said Century Aluminum’s project in Inola would advance national and economic security. A separate lawsuit seeking to block the smelter is also pending.

By Nathan Owens • Sept. 3, 2026

DOE proposes $10M for critical minerals research and development

The money will fund projects that target heavy rare earths, gallium, copper and other critical minerals used in key energy technologies. 

By Jeff Kinney • Aug. 27, 2026

Canada targets US steel and aluminum as part of retaliatory tariffs

The move will take effect Sept. 8 and cover more than 300 metals products and derivatives, including flat-rolled steel and aluminum bars.

By Nathan Owens • Aug. 26, 2026

Ohio MEP misused award funds, reported inaccurate financials: NIST OIG

In an audit, the NIST Office of Inspector General questioned $20.9 million in costs and identified $2.8 million in underreported income, saying the MEP failed to comply with program terms and conditions.

By Jeff Kinney • Aug. 25, 2026

Phase 2 of CMMC is delayed. That doesn’t mean compliance is.

While the Defense Department’s pause gives some contractors relief, experts say they should take the time to continue implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements in their operations.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 25, 2026

Trump’s 50% tariff on many Canada imports in effect as talks stall

The two countries failed to reach an agreement before Saturday’s deadline for the levies, with Canada vowing to “match those tariffs dollar for dollar.” 

By Phil Neuffer • Aug. 24, 2026

SandboxAQ’s goal to find PFAS-free alternatives for the semiconductor industry

The Silicon Valley startup developed an advanced computational method to also help find alternatives for rare-earth-free magnets, catalysts and batteries in the sector, said Stefan Leichenauer, VP of engineering.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 20, 2026

Raytheon gets $23B Navy contract to boost Tomahawk missile production

Additionally, the weapons maker’s parent company, RTX, and Boeing signed agreements to accelerate component manufacturing for SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IB munitions.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 18, 2026

Trump inks MOU allowing US Navy ships to be built overseas

The memorandum of understanding will allow foreign shipbuilders to construct up to two vessels in their home shipyards overseas.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 17, 2026

Trump imposes 100% tariffs on some drones and components

The UAS duty rates align with the president’s executive orders to mitigate supply chain reliance on countries such as China, which has a world-leading drone market valued at $15.6 billion in 2025.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 14, 2026

Veolia sues Delaware manufacturers over PFAS in drinking water

The company, which operates a large water treatment plant, wants to recover capital and operating costs for a granular activated carbon treatment process completed in 2025.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 13, 2026

US Commerce Department should revamp chips investment strategy: GAO

DOC’s semiconductor and microelectronics programs have “stalled,” and the agency needs a new plan to meet statutory requirements, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found.

By Jeff Kinney • Aug. 12, 2026

Pentagon signs over $2B in deals securing batteries, critical minerals

Sila Technologies, Sunrise Energy Metals and Niron Magnetics are the latest entities that inked conditional loan commitments with DOD’s Office of Strategic Capital. 

By Sara Samora • Aug. 10, 2026

Manufacturing jobs continue upwards, adding 5,000 jobs in July

The transportation equipment sector gained the most workers at nearly 12,000. Meanwhile, the food industry lost over 6,000 employees.

By Sara Samora • Aug. 7, 2026

Trump imposes 15% tariff on polysilicon imports for chips, solar power

A national security threat from imports has eroded U.S. production capacity for materials used in semiconductor and solar manufacturing, the president claimed. The levy, along with an import price floor, will go into effect Dec. 4.

By Antone Gonsalves • Aug. 7, 2026