Policy

  • A row of black drones lined up on a table next to blue plastic shelf bins.
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    Courtesy of Powerus
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    Q&A

    How a drone maker aims to fix the supply chain

    Powerus co-founder and U.S. Army veteran Brett Velicovich explains how the company is working to bring the drone end-to-end manufacturing process to the United States.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A person wearing ear protection, eyeglasses and gloves using a machine to shape heated steel.
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    Manufacturing industry gained 3,000 jobs in June

    Adjusted data shows the industry lost 3,000 jobs combined in April and May as manufacturers eased on staffing amid tariffs and interest rate uncertainty.

    By • July 6, 2026
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    Trendline

    Navigating Manufacturing Compliance Trends

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

    By Manufacturing Dive staff
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    MF3d via Getty Images
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    NIST establishes center to advance quantum technology manufacturing

    The agency plans to make an initial investment of $20 million to boost U.S. competitiveness. 

    By • July 1, 2026
  • Attendees arrive at the MD&M East manufacturing conference at the Javits Center in New York City in 2025.
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    Courtesy of IME Connect
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    Manufacturing conferences and trade shows to watch in 2026

    Upcoming industry events will showcase the latest products and cover topics ranging from tariff mitigation and automation to workforce retention strategies.

    By Manufacturing Dive Staff • Updated July 1, 2026
  • U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stands near a flag pole.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    US blocks quick USMCA extension, putting annual review process into motion

    The U.S., Mexico and Canada will continue negotiating about potential adjustments to the trilateral free trade agreement, which will remain in place until at least 2036.

    By Phil Neuffer • July 1, 2026
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    Courtesy of Lockheed Martin
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    Lockheed Martin signs $35B DOD contract to quadruple interceptor production

    The weapons maker will produce THAAD missile rounds at its facilities in Texas, California, Arkansas and Alabama. The company is also investing over $9 billion to meet munitions demand through 2030.

    By • June 26, 2026
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    Jerome Aliotta/U.S. Army

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    NIST launches MEP pilot program to strengthen industrial base

    The program will focus on accelerating the use of additive manufacturing for aerospace components and establishing a domestic critical minerals supply chain. NIST has committed to spending about $20 million per pilot project.

    By • June 26, 2026
  • A beige building with dark windows, and the red and orange Chemours logo sign in the center.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Chemours agrees to $450M PFAS settlement with US government

    The EPA accused the chemical giant of releasing forever chemicals into rivers near the company’s facilities in North Carolina, New Jersey and West Virginia. In some instances, without the required permits.

    By • June 25, 2026
  • Two shipping container-filled boats, one with China's flag and the other with a U.S. flag, approaching each other head-on.
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    Getty Images
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    China limits trade with 56 US defense, aerospace firms

    The country’s government has barred entities from shipping China-made items to or purchasing U.S.-made products from military-linked companies, including Boeing, Anduril and MP Materials.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • A black and white Phoenix Tailings logo on a wall, and a person working on a processing machine on the right, inside a facility.
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    Courtesy of Phoenix Tailings
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    DOD commits $1.2B in conditional loans to Phoenix Tailings, Energy Fuels

    The funds, provided through the agency’s Office of Strategic Capital, are expected to support the two companies’ scale-up of their domestic rare-earth mineral processing in the United States.

    By • June 22, 2026
  • Two rows of green infantry squad vehicles parked in front of a white building with the blue GM Defense logo on it.
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    Courtesy of GM Defense
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    GM Defense, Lockheed Martin to collaborate on US defense manufacturing

    The Pentagon assisted with the deal between the automaker’s subsidiary and the weapons maker. The agreement comes as President Donald Trump invokes the voluntary agreement provision under the Defense Production Act.

    By • June 17, 2026
  • A blue and white Lockheed Martin sign on the left of a blue archway that's over a white parking attendant booth.
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    Getty Images
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    Thousands of Dauch, Lockheed Martin workers vote to ratify union contracts

    Nearly 1,000 UAW-represented Dauch workers’ ratified contract ends the two-week strike at the GM supplier’s Michigan plant. About 5,000 IAM-represented Lockheed Martin employees also voted for a new deal on Sunday.

    By • Updated June 15, 2026
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    Millions in DOE investments aim to boost domestic critical minerals

    The U.S. Department of Energy in recent weeks has announced partnerships and funded a host of projects to address domestic supply chain gaps for manufacturers.

    By • June 11, 2026
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    GlobalFoundries joins DOE’s Genesis Mission

    The partnership will open GlobalFoundries’ U.S. manufacturing platform and design resources to Genesis Mission researchers. The Genesis Mission aims to further science through artificial intelligence and advanced computing.

    By • June 9, 2026
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    Q&A

    Permitting Council director stresses engagement for major projects

    Manufacturers seeking permits should "talk to everyone" — especially local politicians and other knowledgeable community members — about possible roadblocks, said the council’s executive director Emily Domenech.

    By • June 8, 2026
  • A person wearing a helmet and gloves as they weld a tall safe in the shadows.
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    Getty Images
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    Manufacturing industry gained 7,000 jobs in May

    The fabricated metal sector gained the most jobs with 6,800, while the plastics and rubber products segment lost the most jobs with 6,100.

    By • June 5, 2026
  • A white and light turquoise delivery truck with the Harbinger sign imprinted on it, parked next to a green military truck.
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    Courtesy of Harbinger
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    American Rheinmetall, Harbinger team up for R&D robotics, UGVs

    Defense contractor Rheinmetall is also investing $41 million across six U.S. manufacturing facilities to expand production capacity, upgrade operations and fortify its supply chain.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A large white facility in the center, with red and white texts on top, "American Icebreaker Factory."
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    Courtesy of Davie Defense
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    Davie Defense breaks ground on $1B shipbuilding site upgrades in Texas

    The modernization projects in Galveston and Port Arthur are part of a finalized $3.5 billion contract with the U.S. Coast Guard to supply five polar icebreaker vessels.

    By • June 2, 2026
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Trump further tweaks steel, aluminum, copper tariffs

    A greater range of industrial and agricultural equipment made with the metals will temporarily see a reduced 15% levy starting June 8, per the White House.

    By Phil Neuffer • June 2, 2026
  • Container on a Taiwan port
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    Annabelle Chih via Getty Images
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    US sets Taiwan tariffs at 15% on auto parts, wood, aircraft parts

    The finalized agreement is narrowly focused on Section 232 tariffs, as outlined in a January framework accord with Taiwan.

    By Antone Gonsalves • June 1, 2026
  • Silhouettes of military vehicles and fighter aircraft at dusk with a $100 bill and Benjamin Franklin's portrait in the background.
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    Getty Images
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    Production demand raises financial stress on aerospace, defense suppliers: Report

    Larger companies will need to communicate with their supply chains more than ever and help with working capital, RapidRatings Executive Chairman James Gellert said.

    By • Updated May 19, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    EPA’s ‘Actual Construction’ permitting rule a ‘win for manufacturers’: NAM

    A representative of the industry group said the proposal will help clarify the Clean Air Act permitting process and allow manufacturers to "make progress on critical projects” sooner than under the current rules.

    By • May 18, 2026
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    Courtesy of Anduril Industries
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    Anduril raises $5B, plans to invest in manufacturing, R&D

    The weapons maker, along with Leidos, CoAspire, Castelion and Zone 5, signed a three-year agreement to supply the Defense Department with 10,000 missiles.

    By • May 15, 2026
  • Trucks drive into United States from Mexico at a port of entry,
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    NAM calls for making the USMCA even more manufacturing friendly

    The “most pro-U.S. manufacturing trade agreement in history” can still be enhanced during negotiations at the six-year mark with process improvements, the National Association of Manufacturers said in a new report.

    By • May 15, 2026
  • Workers install solar panels on the roof of a building.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Q1 saw net loss of 5,900 renewable energy manufacturing jobs: EDF report

    The Environmental Defense Fund cited $1.4 billion in canceled renewable energy investments stemming from federal policy shifts around EVs, renewable energy and tailpipe emissions. 

    By • May 14, 2026