President Donald Trump spent Monday at the White House, where he announced plans for a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa. The Oval Office appearance also brought comments on Iran and a promise to return to Iowa as his midterm campaign travel picks up. The White House’s public schedule listed no out-of-town travel for Monday.
A major Iowa project — and a return trip promised
Minnesota-based Mesabi Metallics plans to build the mill in Lee County using ore from its newly opened Minnesota mine. The White House projects 1,750 permanent jobs and up to 6,000 construction jobs. It says the plant’s first phase would produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually. Those are projections for a facility that has yet to be built.
Trump credited his steel tariffs with encouraging production in the United States. “Everyone’s building their plant here because they don’t want to pay tariffs,” he said. Steelmaking is expected to begin in 2030, though questions remain about possible state or local incentives for the project.
The announcement became a campaign moment with Iowa Republicans in the room. Trump said he would return to the state for a rally to help GOP candidates. “We have to get you all elected,” he told them. No date or venue has been announced for that trip.
Trump addresses the Iran standoff
During the Oval Office appearance, Trump said U.S. negotiators had communicated with Iranian officials through mediators Monday, even as Tehran cast doubt on negotiations. “We’re going to win,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s going to be one way or the other.”
The comments followed a Sunday interview in which Trump told Axios he expected further talks this week despite rejecting Iran’s latest proposal. The sides remain divided over the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. naval blockade and nuclear concessions. No agreement was announced Monday.
Three rally stops on the calendar
Trump is scheduled to campaign in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday and Mobile, Alabama, on Friday. A Republican event listing also advertises a Saturday rally in Vandalia, Ohio. Monday’s newly floated Iowa stop would add another trip, but its timing remains open.
