According to a new economic report, the U.S. is seeing a resurgence in blue-collar manufacturing jobs after a period during the Biden administration when many of these positions were offshored. This report from the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) indicates that a remarkable 72,000 manufacturing jobs were created in 2026 alone, largely thanks to an increase in the production of durable goods like metal and transportation equipment.
Interestingly, this upswing appears to counter a trend from Biden’s tenure, where approximately 200,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in the last two years of his administration. The report attributes this turnaround not only to current efforts to bring jobs back onshore but also to specific tariff policies implemented by the administration. These policies have been part of a broader strategy aimed at bolstering the domestic economy.
Highlighted in the report is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), championed by Trump, which has incentivized American companies to expand operations within the country rather than move jobs overseas. Among its features, the bill allows companies to take an immediate 100% tax deduction for expenses related to constructing new factories and purchasing equipment.
The report features success stories from businesses reinvesting in the U.S. economy. For instance, Jergens, a manufacturing firm in Ohio, used the incentives from OBBB to expand operations into Illinois. The CEO, Jack Schron, stated that since the bill’s passage, employees have been voluntarily working overtime, leading to increased retention of their earnings and, ultimately, a positive impact on the economy.
Another example from the CEA report is Ketchie Inc., which has expanded its workforce by 25% in North Carolina after utilizing the 100% expensing provision to invest in new machinery. It’s noteworthy that manufacturing workers are seeing wage increases as well, averaging a rise of 7.9% since January 2025. When adjusted for inflation, this translates to roughly $2,500 more in annual earnings for blue-collar workers since Trump took office.
Moreover, the report emphasizes growth in the construction sector, noting that 100,000 jobs have been added since Trump started his presidency. There’s also a notable uptick in semiconductor manufacturing, a domain where the U.S. competes heavily with China. Major companies like Micron and Apple are investing significantly in chip manufacturing facilities across the country.
Ultimately, the reshoring and tariff strategies have allegedly contributed to $11 trillion in U.S. investments during Trump’s second term. Nevertheless, as the midterm elections approach, many voters remain concerned about economic issues, with polling indicating that rising costs, especially for gas and groceries, are significant worries for a majority of Americans.
A Fox News Poll reveals that 61% of respondents view high gas prices as a major concern, while 52% feel similarly about healthcare costs. Despite these investments and job growth narratives, nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy has worsened under Trump’s administration compared to previous years.
