Trump announces US$15 billion Iowa steel plant, claiming it will be largest in US

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new US$15 billion steel plant being built in Iowa, highlighting an economic victory in a key battleground state where Republicans face competitive midterm races.

Trump announced the new plant at an Oval Office event alongside steel executives and Iowa Republicans, including two running for office. The event highlighted Iowa’s elevated status for Republicans and for Trump, who on Monday pledged to campaign there in coming weeks.

“We’re going to do a great rally. We’ll all be there together,” Trump said alongside Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is running for the US Senate, and Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is up for re-election. Also joining him were Governor Kim Reynolds and Senator Joni Ernst, who are not seeking new terms in office.

The new steel plant is being built by Mesabi Metallics, a Minnesota company owned by India’s Essar Group, an industrial conglomerate. Trump said the project will become the largest steel plant in the United States. It is expected to produce 10 million tons of steel a year after it’s fully built out.