Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – In response to an announcement—spurred by National Association of Manufacturers–led advocacy—by the Environmental Protection Agency to revise and review burdensome federal regulations harming America’s manufacturers, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have answered the calls of manufacturers across the country to rebalance and reconsider burdensome federal regulations harming America’s ability to compete—including the previous administration’s unworkable PM2.5 NAAQS rule. In December, the NAM, along with more than 100 manufacturing associations, sent a letter to President Trump highlighting more than three dozen regulatory actions the administration should take to put a stop to the regulatory onslaught that is costing manufacturers $350 billion each year—many of which are included in today’s EPA announcement.

“Most prominently, the Trump administration will be reconsidering the 2024 PM2.5 rule—an unrealistic and unworkable rule that will result in significantly diminished manufacturing investment and job creation.  Manufacturers warned the Biden administration of the severe economic consequences that could result from tightened PM2.5 regulations: a PM2.5 standard of 8 micrograms per cubic meter of air—only slightly below the newly finalized level—would have resulted in a loss of up to $200 billion in economic activity and almost 1 million jobs, according to research from the NAM. When those warnings were ignored, the NAM took the fight to court—asking the D.C. Circuit to vacate the rule.

“Similarly, the administration is reconsidering the Biden administration’s power plant rule, which threatened grid reliability by creating an unrealistic timeline for power plants to adopt emissions-reduction technologies that are unproven at scale—creating a threat to our national and economic security that literally could leave Americans in the dark and factories offline.

“Additionally, the EPA will be reviewing and revising other burdensome regulations in the air and chemicals space, and the NAM welcomes the opportunity to right-size these regulations that stunted manufacturing growth and job creation. Manufacturers will continue to partner with the EPA to rebalance the regulatory framework to allow our industry to move ahead with transformational investments that will strengthen our manufacturing nation.”

Background:

In a letter to President Trump signed by more than 100 manufacturing associations in December, the NAM highlighted more than three dozen regulatory actions the Trump administration could take to support manufacturing growth. Today’s announcement by the EPA addresses many of the regulations that we outlined, including the following:

• National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter: Reconsider and relax the Biden administration’s NAAQS for PM2.5 rule.
• Power Plant Rules: Replace the EPA’s rule for existing coal-fired and new natural gas–fired power plants with workable standards.
• Vehicle Regulations: Provide the long-term regulatory certainty America’s auto sector requires to meet all facets of customer demand while continuing to lead in innovation and emissions reduction.
• Waters of the United States: Ensure regulatory decision-making under the Clean Water Act fully conforms with the Supreme Court’s bright-line jurisdictional test.
• Reconsideration of Certain NESHAPs: Reconsideration of the Ethylene Oxide National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers released its Q1 2025 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, revealing growing concerns over trade uncertainties and increased raw material costs. Trade uncertainties surged to the top of manufacturers’ challenges, cited by 76.2% of respondents, jumping 20 percentage points from Q4 2024 and 40 percentage points from Q3 of last year. Increased raw material costs came in second, cited by 62.3% of respondents.

Trade-related challenges resulted in a small drop in manufacturers’ optimism: in the Q1 survey, 69.7% of survey respondents felt positive about their company’s outlook, down slightly from 70.9% in Q4 2024.

The survey underscores the immediate need for President Trump and Congress to implement a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that includes making President Trump’s 2017 tax reforms permanent and more competitive. If Congress fails to act now on extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, 69.35% of survey respondents said they would delay purchasing capital equipment, while 45.23% would hold off on hiring, 44.72% would stall expansion of operations, 41.71% would limit R&D investments and 40.20% would curb increases in employee wages or benefits.

“The pressure of increased costs, trade instability and sluggish demand is dampening the sector’s momentum, making it more difficult for manufacturers to plan, invest and hire,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “We need greater predictability with a phase-in period for manufacturers to adjust to new trade realities, while also establishing clear exemptions for critical inputs—enabling reciprocity in manufacturing trade.

“Congress and the Trump administration must take decisive action to support manufacturers by providing increased certainty and clarity while implementing measures to ease the burden of rising costs. Our industry is counting on President Trump to make manufacturing in the United States greater than ever before, which is why we are calling for a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that includes a commonsense trade policy in addition to making President Trump’s 2017 tax reforms permanent and more competitive, securing regulatory certainty, expediting permitting reform to unleash American energy dominance and key manufacturing projects and increasing the talent pool.”

Key survey findings:

• Manufacturers expect raw material prices and other input costs to rise 5.5% over the next year. This marks the highest anticipated rate of increase since Q2 2022, when inflation hovered between 8% and 9%.
• Manufacturers expect prices on their company’s product line to increase 3.6% over the next 12 months, up from 2.3% in Q4 and the highest level since Q3 2022 when inflation was still more than 8%.
• Manufacturers expect export sales to increase just 0.1% over the next 12 months, the lowest level since Q2 2020—the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—highlighting challenges in global trade and demand.

The NAM releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available here.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement ahead of President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:

“The stakes couldn’t be higher for manufacturers right now. Many manufacturers are operating on thin margins, and the tariffs imposed today will further strain their resources. For example:

• A large manufacturer in the power-engineering sector that imports more than $100 million every year in components and products from Mexico now faces increasing costs of $25 million due to the tariffs. As a major supplier to the U.S. utility and industrial market, this will directly impact the ability for domestic utilities and industrial customers to maintain a safe, efficient and secure power grid.
• Another large consumer goods manufacturer indicated the tariffs on Mexico will cost their company $200 million, and the Canadian retaliatory tariffs will add another $31 million—totaling $231 million, or $1.15 million per day.
• A small copper manufacturer had nine truckloads of copper rod sitting at the Canadian border waiting to go through Customs when the tariffs went into effect, leading to 388,000 pounds of copper goods being returned to the supplier. If the tariffs remain in effect, bringing copper—a critical manufacturing input—into the U.S. would cost the manufacturer nearly $50,000 per truckload going forward.

“To mitigate the adverse effects of today’s tariffs, manufacturers call on President Trump and Congress to implement a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that would create predictability and certainty to invest, plan and hire in America. This strategy includes the following actions:

1. Make President Trump’s 2017 tax reforms permanent and more competitive now. When President Trump signed these tax cuts into law, it was rocket fuel for manufacturing in America and made the U.S. economy more competitive on a global scale. That fuel is about to run out as key provisions have expired, and others are about to lapse. If Congress fails to act, it will cost America 6 million jobs, including more than 1.1 million manufacturing jobs. We must ensure these historic, pro-growth manufacturing provisions are made permanent and even more competitive so manufacturers can plan, grow and succeed.
2. Restore regulatory certainty. Manufacturers are spending $350 billion each year just to comply with regulations—money that could be spent on expanding factories and production lines, hiring new workers or raising wages. President Trump has taken action already to streamline burdensome regulations starting with lifting the liquefied natural gas export ban, but we need to move faster to deliver on our industry’s potential.
3. Expedite permitting reform to unleash American energy. President Trump is already ending the war on America’s energy producers, but there is more work to do. America should be the undisputed leader in energy production and innovation, but we will not reach our full potential without permitting reform. We are seeing opportunities for energy dominance fade in the face of a permitting process that takes 80% longer than other major, developed nations.
4. Strengthen the manufacturing workforce. Over the past year, we have averaged 500,000 open manufacturing jobs in America—well-paying, life-changing careers. Manufacturers are struggling to fill critical jobs. We need a real workforce strategy that ensures we have the talent to grow, compete and lead.
5. Implement commonsense trade policies that open global markets fairly and effectively. Building things in America only works if we can sell them around the world. That’s why we’re urging President Trump and Congress to provide greater predictability and a clear runway for manufacturers to adjust to new trade realities, while also making way for exemptions for critical inputs, enabling reciprocity in manufacturing trade.

“Manufacturers are investing in America in record numbers, and President Trump is focused on strengthening manufacturing in the United States to grow our nation’s economy. We look forward to working with President Trump as he works to advance policies that will help manufacturers thrive and prosper because when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passage of the House budget resolution:

“Today, the House has taken a historic, pivotal step to advance a comprehensive reconciliation package that will preserve President Trump’s job-creating tax reforms of 2017, while also unleashing American energy dominance.

“Manufacturers urge Congress to move with a sense of urgency. Every day we wait means jobs and opportunity lost. As part of the comprehensive, commonsense manufacturing strategy that America needs, protecting tax reform will strengthen our industry and our communities. It’s time to continue this momentum and act now to Make America Great for Manufacturing Again. When manufacturing wins, America wins.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s recent executive order establishing the National Energy Dominance Council:

“President Trump is moving quickly to unleash America’s full energy potential by establishing the National Energy Dominance Council, setting America up to lead on energy and secure our energy independence. This action demonstrates President Trump and his administration’s commitment to ensuring manufacturers have the energy they need to drive economic growth.

“On day one, President Trump declared the United States will be a manufacturing nation, lifting the moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits—one of the NAM’s top recommended regulatory actions for the Trump administration to tackle. This was a significant move that will bolster our energy sector, strengthen our position in the global market and ensure manufacturers in America have the energy resources they need to power economic growth here at home. We look forward to working with President Trump and the administration to improve the processes for permitting for all energy sources, which this action also addresses. The federal permitting system is broken—delaying projects that would create jobs, secure supply chains and reinforce America’s competitive edge.

“The National Energy Dominance Council, under the leadership of Interior Secretary Burgum and Energy Secretary Wright, will help power the future of manufacturing in America because when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rescission of Staff Legal Bulletin 14L, which required publicly traded manufacturers to include activists’ ESG proposals on their proxy ballots even when the issues raised were unrelated to their business, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement.

“Manufacturers asked for regulatory certainty, and President Trump has delivered. Today’s action by the SEC under Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda’s leadership depoliticizes the proxy process—a crucial plank of President Trump’s pro-manufacturing deregulatory agenda.

“As we relayed to President Trump in December, SLB 14L empowered activists at the expense of manufacturers and Main Street investors—turning the proxy ballot into a debate club, forcing businesses to court controversy and divert resources from growth and value creation. Returning the SEC’s review of shareholder proposals to a company-specific process based on relevance to a business’s operations and its investors’ returns will allow manufacturers to focus on what they do best: investing for growth, creating jobs and driving the American economy.”

Background:

In December, the NAM, along with more than 100 manufacturing associations, sent a letter to President Trump highlighting more than three dozen regulatory actions across a wide range of agencies that would boost the manufacturing economy and put a stop to the regulatory onslaught that is costing manufacturers $350 billion each year, according to NAM research. President Trump began tackling these issues on Day 1, including by lifting the pause on liquefied natural gas exports. Today’s move by the SEC is another important step in the administration’s efforts to address burdensome regulations that are stifling manufacturing investment and growth

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers, the strongest voice for American industry, today announced that Johnson & Johnson Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer Kathy Wengel, as well as Rockwell Automation Chairman and CEO Blake Moret, will once again serve as board chair and vice chair, respectively.

“Manufacturers are the backbone of America’s economy, and under Kathy and Blake’s leadership, we are poised to continue delivering more for the people who make America,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “As chair, Kathy has already set new records in growing the membership of the NAM—ensuring manufacturers can create more well-paying jobs in the United States, cut through red tape and power our economy. As vice chair, Blake has been a consistent champion for strengthening our workforce, driving innovation and making sure manufacturers have the tools to compete and win.

“This year is a historic opportunity for manufacturing. With leadership in Washington committed to the importance of growing manufacturing in the United States, we are doubling down on the fight to stop devasting tax hikes, roll back the regulatory overreach of the past, unleash American energy dominance and make the U.S. more competitive than ever before,” said Timmons.

“I am honored to serve as NAM Board chair for another term,” said Wengel. “Our members are ready to lead knowing manufacturing’s vital contribution to the economy. The NAM continues to achieve unprecedented results for manufacturers—from tax reform resulting in increased investment, to regulatory certainty, to upskilling to strengthen the capabilities and resilience of the manufacturing workforce. Now, we have the opportunity to create new records for manufacturing jobs, increased wages and new investments in the United States.”

“We look forward to joining forces with the administration and Congress to implement solutions that will lift up everyone in the United States,” said Moret. “We have a clear list of manufacturing priorities across policy, workforce development, technology and supply chain that will make American manufacturing and American manufacturing workers the most successful in the world.”

The NAM also announced Click Bond CEO Karl Hutter will be elevated to chair of the NAM’s Small and Medium Manufacturers Group. Husco President and CEO Austin Ramirez will be vice chair.

“Eighty-five percent of NAM members are small and medium-sized manufacturers, so we are the nation’s largest voice for the pride, prosperity and strength of the small businesses that build America,” said Timmons. “Karl and Austin are leaders of our industry who are steering their companies and American industry into the future. They will continue to help rally SMMs to share their stories with more of America and to come together with the NAM to learn from each other, support one another and make our country stronger.”

“The policies we put in place today will decide whether SMMs can thrive in the United States for generations to come,” said Hutter. “It is a privilege to get the opportunity to work alongside the NAM’s leadership to educate elected leaders on critical issues that matter in supporting our communities, creating great careers and protecting America’s national security.”

“I am honored to serve as vice chair of the NAM’s SMM Group,” said Ramirez. “The stakes are high for manufacturers in America—particularly SMMs. I look forward to collaborating to champion manufacturing in the U.S. as we advocate for SMM policy priorities.”

Founded in 1895, the NAM, guided by its Board of Directors, is the largest industrial trade association in the United States. The NAM is the nation’s most influential manufacturing advocate, and its membership includes some of the world’s most iconic brands and many of the small manufacturers that power the U.S. economy.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers in the United States are facing intense global competition, economic headwinds and unfair trade practices from adversarial nations. With critical tax reforms having lapsed and others still set to expire as well as inaction on comprehensive permitting reform, our industry is struggling to invest, innovate and compete.

“Manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry—and we must plan months and often years in advance to grow and compete. We cannot afford to wait on action, especially with additional cost pressures from the renewal and extension of tariffs. Manufacturers are calling on Congress to act now to renew the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—failure to do so will put 6 million jobs at risk and make it even harder for manufacturers to drive growth and strengthen supply chains. We cannot risk giving our competitors an edge while jeopardizing American jobs and economic strength.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the executive orders imposing significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.

“Manufacturers understand the need to deal with any sort of crisis that involves illicit drugs crossing our border, and we hope the three countries can come together quickly to confront this challenge.

“At the same time, protecting manufacturing gains that have come from our strong North American partnership is vital. The success of President Trump’s landmark trade agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, has strengthened North American supply chains and bolstered economic power across the region, boosting jobs, wages and investments here in the United States.

“Thanks to this agreement, one-third of critical U.S. manufacturing inputs now come from Canada or Mexico, rather than from competitors like China that often engage in unfair trade practices.

“However, with essential tax reforms left on the cutting room floor by the last Congress and the Biden administration, manufacturers are already facing mounting cost pressures. A 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico threatens to upend the very supply chains that have made U.S. manufacturing more competitive globally. The ripple effects will be severe, particularly for small and medium-sized manufacturers that lack the flexibility and capital to rapidly find alternative suppliers or absorb skyrocketing energy costs. These businesses—employing millions of American workers—will face significant disruptions. Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk.

“We stand ready to work with President Trump to ensure a trade strategy that reinforces American strength—holding bad actors accountable while preserving the gains of the successful USMCA and advancing policies that sustain manufacturing growth here at home.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers today announced the addition of former Transportation Security Administration Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Alexa Lopez as the NAM’s vice president of communications and public affairs, a newly created position designed to build on the NAM’s strategic outreach and advocacy efforts.

“Alexa knows how to navigate complex challenges, craft compelling narratives and drive real impact,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “She has built a career on delivering results, and manufacturers will benefit from her ability to elevate our industry’s voice at a time when manufacturers’ influence on the future has never been more important. She will be a strong champion for the policies that power innovation, create jobs and keep manufacturing in America strong.”

As NAM vice president of communications and public affairs, Lopez will lead efforts to amplify the voice of manufacturers and advocate for policies that advance the competitiveness of manufacturers in the United States. She will report to NAM Managing Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Jamie Hennigan.

Previously, Lopez led all strategic communications and public affairs efforts at TSA, serving as principal communications adviser to the TSA administrator on all external and internal communications. She also served in key public affairs roles at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Ogilvy Public Relations and the City of Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Affairs and Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Lopez was proudly born and raised in Dayton, Ohio.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.