Cleveland-Cliffs Eyes Rare Earth Mining as U.S. Seeks Independence from China

Cleveland-Cliffs, one of America’s top steelmakers, plans to explore rare earth mineral production at sites in Michigan and Minnesota. The move follows China’s tightening control over global rare earth exports amid trade tensions with the U.S. CEO Lourenco Goncalves says the company has an “obligation” to support domestic supply of these critical materials.

If successful, the project could align with the Trump administration’s strategy for material independence and stronger U.S. manufacturing resilience.

Insight: S&P 500 Industrials moved down 0.2% over the past week, reflecting negative sentiment in the manufacturing sector.

🏗️ Boston Scientific Expands in Minnesota

Boston Scientific opened a new 400,000-square-foot R&D facility in Maple Grove, marking its latest $12 billion investment in Minnesota and adding up to 2,000 future jobs as part of its strategic growth plan.
Read the full story at CBSNews.com ➜

🤖 AI-Powered Metal Part Production Breakthrough at Virginia Tech: Enhancing Reliability and Speed

Researchers at Virginia Tech are using artificial intelligence with wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) to detect and correct printing flaws in real time, speeding up production of submarine and aircraft components.
Read the full story at 3DPrintingIndustry.com ➜

🔋 Eos Energy's $353M Investment Sparks Energy Storage Opportunity in Pittsburgh Area

Eos Energy will invest $353 million to move its headquarters from New Jersey to Pittsburgh and open a 432,000-square-foot factory, creating 735 new jobs.
Read the full story at ManufacturingDive.com ➜

🍫 Nestlé's Workforce Shake-Up: What Manufacturing Pros Need to Know

Nestlé will cut 6% of its global workforce — including 4,000 roles in manufacturing and supply chain — as part of a $3.8 billion cost-saving plan under new CEO.
Read the full story at SupplyChainDive.com ➜

Insight: Manufacturing employment remained stable with minimal change over this period, reflecting steady labor demand in the industry.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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