Trump to announce $15 billion Iowa steel project amid tough midterm climate

Mesabi Metallics recently opened its first new iron mine in the United States in 50 years in Minnesota. The group has also already begun commissioning the mine and will be in production by mid-September. It is expected to create 350 new jobs in Minnesota. The first steel production is expected to begin in 2030 and will create 1,750 new permanent jobs in Iowa, along with 5,000 to 6,000 construction jobs, according to the White House official. The Iowa steel plant will use iron ore from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.

Once it’s fully operating, the steel plant will produce 10 million tons of steel a year. The first phase will produce 7.5 million tons of steel per year and is expected to generate $95 billion in total economic impact over construction and the first 10 years of operation.

“President Trump is delivering on his promise to rebuild American industry, reshore manufacturing, and create new jobs,” said Taylor Rogers, a White House spokeswoman. “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.”

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The Wall Street Journal, which first broke the news, reported that the plant will open up in eastern Iowa, making it easier to transport iron ore from its mine through the Mississippi River.

Trump won Iowa all three times during his presidential campaigns, but farmers’ frustrations over rising gas and fuel prices have caused Republicans to worry that Democrats could win key Senate, two House seats, and gubernatorial races in the state. Trump’s approval rating in Iowa is at 48%, while is dissaproval rating is at 49%, according to Morning Consult.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), the Republican Senate nominee, has called for an end to the war in her tough battle against Democrat Josh Turek (D-IA). Last week, Sabato’s Crystal Ball revised the Senate race from “leans Republican” to a toss-up in favor of Democrats.

Turek responded to the steel plant announcement on social media by slamming Hinson’s actions on the Iran war.

“Iowans are hurting, and uniquely so. We’re one of three states seeing our economy contract,” he posted on X. “We’ve got a health care crisis, a cancer crisis, and a water quality crisis. And thanks to a war Ashley Hinson has voted 7 times to continue, Iowans are suffering from sky-high costs for diesel, gas, and essentials.”

“I look forward to seeing the details on the planned steel mill in southeast Iowa,” Turek added. “We need jobs more than ever. And we need a senator who is laser-focused on delivering for working people.”

Rob Sand, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Iowa, said the announcement was a “promising idea for Lee County and for our state given that our economy is among the worst in the nation,” in a post on X.

“I look forward to hearing more details, particularly on what protections for Iowa taxpayers will be built into the deal, and what guarantees will exist for Iowa workers to build and work in the plant if Iowa taxpayers will be asked to chip in,” Sand also wrote.