President Trump has approved the first three projects under Japan’s $550 billion investment commitment to the United States, part of a broader U.S.–Japan trade agreement. The announcement was made by Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The initial projects total $36 billion and focus on power generation, oil and gas, and advanced manufacturing sectors. According to Lutnick, "These projects represent a $36 billion commitment in key sectors of our economy -- power generation, oil and gas, and advanced manufacturing."
In Ohio, the U.S. and Japan will collaborate to build what is described as the largest natural gas generation facility ever constructed. This plant will have a capacity of 9.2 gigawatts. Lutnick stated that this project aims to "strengthen grid reliability, expand baseload power, and support American manufacturing with affordable energy."
Another major project is a deepwater crude oil export facility in the Gulf of America. This development is expected to add between $20–30 billion annually in U.S. crude exports while enhancing export capacity for refineries.
The third initiative involves establishing synthetic industrial diamond manufacturing within the United States. This move is intended to meet all domestic demand for synthetic diamond grit—an important material for industrial and technological production—and eliminate reliance on foreign suppliers.
Lutnick emphasized job creation linked to these efforts: "Together, these projects are expected to deliver thousands of high-quality American jobs." He added that Japan would provide capital while infrastructure would be built domestically: "Japan is providing the capital. The infrastructure is being built in the United States. The proceeds are structured so Japan earns its return, and America gains strategic assets, expanded industrial capacity, and strengthened energy dominance."
Secretary Lutnick also expressed appreciation for international cooperation: "I am grateful to the President for his leadership and to the Government of Japan for their partnership.The future has never been brighter."
In related efforts to improve national infrastructure access, five Arizona tribes were recently awarded $105.8 million through The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Internet for All Initiative (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/08/30/5-arizona-tribes-grants-homes-internet/7936129001/). These grants aim to expand high-speed internet access in tribal communities.
