JD Vance Touts Industrial Growth at Steel Plant \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Vice President JD Vance visited Nucor Steel in South Carolina, highlighting President Trump’s manufacturing policies and declaring a new “industrial renaissance” in America. The event was part of the administration’s 100-day celebration and focused on steel production, energy independence, and domestic job growth. Vance avoided addressing a major staffing shake-up involving national security roles.
Quick Looks
- Event Location: Nucor Steel, Huger, South Carolina
- Occasion: Trump administration’s 100-day milestone tour
- Main Theme: “Industrial renaissance” under Trump’s tariffs and energy policy
- Vance Remarks: Emphasized pride in American manufacturing
- EPA Accompaniment: Lee Zeldin joined factory tour
- Drilling Policy: Called for expansion off U.S. coasts, overturning prior bans
- Political Context: SC is a key GOP stronghold, 2016 primary launching pad
- Not Mentioned: National security reshuffle involving Waltz and Rubio
- Market Impact: Nucor stock surged after Trump steel tariff announcement
- Future Stakes: SC Republicans Evette and Mace eye 2026 gubernatorial race
Deep Look
Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Nucor Steel in Huger, South Carolina, on Thursday was more than a ceremonial stop—it was a declaration of the Trump administration’s intent to reposition American manufacturing and energy as pillars of economic growth and national power. Standing before hundreds of steelworkers and company officials, Vance invoked the legacy of American industry and the Trump administration’s aim to revive it under a new “industrial renaissance.”
The visit was one of several events marking President Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term, and it reinforced themes of economic nationalism, energy independence, and blue-collar pride. Vance’s presence, alongside EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, further highlighted the administration’s push to pair industrial growth with environmental deregulation.
Steel and Tariffs: A Symbol of Revival
Vance praised the workers gathered outside the steel facility, calling them the backbone of the economy and crediting Trump’s economic policies for a resurgence in domestic industry.
“These are the products that actually make America work,” Vance said. “You should feel proud.”
He pointed to Trump’s tariffs on imported steel as a key factor in Nucor’s success, citing CEO Leon Topalian’s statement that the company’s order backlog was up 25% year over year—a promising sign, he said, of an economy turning a corner.
Indeed, following the tariff announcement, Nucor’s stock jumped 6%, signaling investor confidence in the protectionist measures. Though prices have fluctuated since, the administration views companies like Nucor as proof that Trump’s economic doctrine is delivering results.
Drilling, Energy, and Coastal Controversy
Perhaps most notably, Vance echoed Trump’s calls for expanding offshore drilling, declaring, “We have started drill, baby, drilling.” His comments put the administration squarely at odds with prior restrictions enacted by both Trump in 2020 and President Biden in 2024. Vance argued that boosting domestic oil production meant cheaper fuel, energy dominance, and national self-reliance.
This stance is controversial in South Carolina, a coastal state with 187 miles of Atlantic shoreline, where bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling remains strong due to environmental and tourism concerns.
Despite this, Vance made clear the administration’s intent to reverse Biden-era bans, as confirmed earlier by Trump’s own announcement directing Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reopen vast offshore areas for potential energy exploration—areas totaling 625 million acres.
Political Stakes and Familiar Faces
South Carolina holds outsized political significance in the Republican landscape. Trump’s 2016 primary victory there helped solidify his frontrunner status and set the tone for future contests. Now, with the GOP eyeing the 2026 gubernatorial race, figures like Lt. Gov. Pam Evette and Rep. Nancy Mace—both present at Thursday’s event—are expected to be top contenders. Their support for Trump and Vance signals that Trumpism remains the dominant brand of conservatism in the Palmetto State.
Vance’s speech reinforced that image, blending economic populism with political alignment, offering the audience not only policy pledges but party unity.
Not Addressed: Waltz Out, Rubio In
One topic Vance avoided was the high-profile shake-up in Trump’s national security team. News broke shortly before the plant visit that Mike Waltz had been removed as national security adviser following reports he had added a journalist to a Signal chat used for confidential planning.
Trump later announced via social media that Waltz would become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would temporarily assume Waltz’s national security duties.
When asked about the development, EPA Administrator Zeldin, who accompanied Vance on the tour, said he hadn’t yet heard the news but welcomed the appointment:
“Thank you for being the bearer of great news. Waltz would do a tremendous job.”
Though Vance didn’t comment on the shift, the omission was likely strategic, keeping the focus on economic victories during a public relations tour.
Looking Forward
As the administration marks its 100-day milestone, this event framed its broader goals: rebuilding domestic production, unshackling energy policy, and reasserting American economic independence. It also underscores the administration’s messaging strategy—focus on tangible gains, sidestep controversies, and highlight symbolic industries like steel.
In South Carolina, a state synonymous with both Republican loyalty and industrial muscle, Vance’s message resonated with many. Whether this will translate into broader national confidence remains to be seen, but for now, the Trump administration is staking its second term on steel, oil, and self-sufficiency.
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