President Donald Trump shared some major news for the American heavy machinery industry on Tuesday. While speaking at a rally in Iowa, he announced that John Deere is investing $70 million to build a brand-new factory in North Carolina. According to Trump, this facility will produce the only excavators made entirely in the United States.
The announcement came as Trump kicked off a series of campaign events leading up to November’s midterm elections. He told the crowd that the new project would be a “state-of-the-art” facility, calling it one of the best in the world. He predicted it would bring significant economic rewards and help grow the country’s industrial power.
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“I’m pleased to announce one more historic investment, the great American company that we just talked about is doing so much,” Trump said during his speech. He noted that while there are many successful companies, this specific deal stands out. “John Deere [is] doing [a] $70 million factory in North Carolina. It’s brand new, the best in the world. And I think it’s going to pay off very, very big.”
The big selling point, according to the President, is independence. He explained that this factory marks the first time these heavy machines will be produced 100% on U.S. soil, ending the need to rely on foreign manufacturing for the equipment.
Trump also added a bit of humor regarding the project’s future. “And if it doesn’t [work], I have nothing to do with it. But if it does, I’m going to take full credit,” he joked. He went on to say, “We all know I love those excavators. Believe it or not, I know a lot about them. We don’t make them here. This is going to be the only excavator entirely made in the United States of America. I love it.”
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This move aligns with promises John Deere made earlier this year. In May 2025, the company pledged to invest $20 billion in the United States over the next decade. During an earnings call that month, Chairman and CEO John May said the massive investment is intended to expand production, boost the workforce, and upgrade their facilities.
The company has been ramping up domestic spending for a while now. Since 2019, John Deere has poured $2.5 billion into manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and sent roughly $80 billion to American suppliers. According to their website, they also added another $100 million in capital spending at American plants in 2025 alone.
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