President Donald Trump announced plans Monday for a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, saying the project would help rebuild American steelmaking and bring thousands of jobs to the state. The Mesabi Metallics facility is expected to produce 10 million tons of steel annually once fully built, with production projected to begin in 2030.
The mill would receive raw materials from a $2.5 billion iron-ore mine and pellet plant that Mesabi is developing in Nashwauk, Minnesota. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, told The New York Times that the Iowa project could create about 6,000 construction jobs and 1,750 permanent positions, with salaries that could exceed $100,000 a year. “We’re going to mine it in America. We’re going to mill it in America, and we’re going to make it in America,” she said.
Trump credited his 50 percent tariffs on imported steel with encouraging companies to build domestic plants, saying the American steel industry is “roaring back to life.” Speaking in the Oval Office alongside company executives and Iowa Republicans, he argued that the duties gave manufacturers a reason to move production to the United States. “Everyone is building their plants here because they don’t want to pay tariffs,” he said. “It’s really not that complicated.”
Rewant Ruia, chairman of Mesabi’s executive board, said the Iowa facility “will use the latest technology and will compete head-to-head with any steel plant in the world on size, quality and on cost.” Mesabi CEO Joe Broking called the announcement a “major moment for U.S. made steel,” saying the factory would supply steel for national defense, vehicles, shipbuilding, appliances, energy and infrastructure.
Gov. Kim Reynolds, who attended the announcement with Miller-Meeks, Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Ashley Hinson, credited Iowa’s business climate with helping secure the investment. “Our commitment in Iowa to fiscal responsibility, tax competitiveness, and long-term economic stability has created one of the nation’s strongest environments for business investment,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Now, this opportunity will fundamentally change the economic trajectory of our state and the entire region for decades to come.”
Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said the project reflected the state’s approach to taxes, spending and regulation. “Investments of this magnitude do not come to Iowa by accident,” he said. “They come to states with low taxes, responsible budgets, fewer burdensome regulations, and leaders who understand that the role of the government is to help job creators succeed, not stand in their way.”
The announcement also gave Trump an opportunity to support Iowa Republicans heading into the midterm elections. Miller-Meeks is seeking re-election, and Hinson is running for the Senate seat held by Ernst, who is not seeking another term. Trump promised to return to Iowa for a campaign event, saying, “We’re going to do a great rally. We’ll all be there together.”
Trump introduced Hinson as a “young lady who is going to be hopefully elected to the Senate” and added, “She’s outstanding, one of the top anywhere in the country. They talk about her all the time.” Addressing Ernst, he said, “I can’t believe you’re leaving.” When asked why several Republican candidates in the state were fighting to protect their seats, Trump replied, “I don’t know. I love Iowa. I’ve always been very strong with Iowa.”
Republicans face pressure over household costs and the war in Iran. The New York Times reported that increased manufacturing costs associated with tariffs and higher fuel prices tied to the conflict have hurt Midwestern voters. Trump dismissed recent polling as “fake” and said the media had failed to give sufficient attention to employment figures, retirement-account gains and other economic results. “Nobody talks about all of the incredible things,” he said.
Several Republican candidates have urged Trump to end the war, including Senate hopefuls in Iowa and Michigan, gubernatorial candidates in Wisconsin and Michigan, and Ohio Sen. Jon Husted. Trump maintained that gasoline prices would fall when the fighting ended. “We’re going to win that war very soon. That’ll be over, and the gases, gas prices, will come tumbling down,” he said. “So nobody else could have done that. Nobody else.”
Trump said the Iowa mill would move forward regardless of the outcome of upcoming elections, including if Democrats won Congress or a “less friendly” president later took office.
