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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive move to “reclaim the American industrial throne,” President Donald Trump has officially greenlit the first wave of projects under a landmark $550 billion investment agreement with Japan. This initial $36 billion “tranche” marks the functional launch of a bilateral pact intended to modernize U.S. infrastructure and decouple critical supply chains from foreign adversaries.
During a Truth Social announcement, the President credited his aggressive tariff strategy as the primary catalyst for the deal, stating that Japan is now “officially and financially” committed to revitalizing the American industrial base.
The First Wave: Three Strategic Pillars
The initial investments target three high-impact states, focusing on energy dominance, export logistics, and semiconductor security.
Portsmouth, Ohio – Natural Gas Mega-Plant | $33 Billion | Slated to be the world’s largest gas-fired plant (9.2 GW); intended to power AI data centers and the Midwest grid.
Offshore Texas- Deepwater Crude Export Terminal | $2.1 Billion | Managed by Sentinel Midstream; projected to generate $20–$30 billion in annual U.S. crude exports.
Georgia – Synthetic Diamond Facility | $600 Million | Operated by Element Six (De Beers); aims to onshore 100% of U.S. demand for diamond grit used in chip making.
Key Details of the Industrial Revitalization
The projects are structured under a unique profit-sharing model. Initially, profits will be shared 50-50 until Japan’s initial costs are recouped; thereafter, the split shifts to 90-10 in favor of the United States.
- Ohio’s Energy “Behemoth”
The Portsmouth project is the crown jewel of this announcement. Operated by SB Energy (a SoftBank subsidiary), the 9.2-gigawatt plant is designed to address the skyrocketing electricity demands of the AI revolution. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick noted the facility will provide enough power to sustain every home in the state of Ohio while ensuring “baseload reliability” that intermittent renewables cannot currently match.
- Texas Energy Dominance
The Texas GulfLink deepwater terminal will allow Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to load directly offshore. By bypassing the limitations of shallow-water ports, the U.S. expects to significantly lower the cost of its exports, further cementing its status as the world’s leading energy supplier.
- Georgia: Securing the Chip War
The Georgia facility focuses on synthetic industrial diamond grit, a material where the U.S. has historically been “foolishly dependent” on China. This material is vital for the thermal management of high-performance semiconductors and advanced manufacturing tools.
“America is building again. America is producing again. And America is WINNING again,” President Trump declared, emphasizing that these projects will create “hundreds of thousands” of jobs across the industrial heartland.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on March 19, 2026, to celebrate the formal ground-breaking of these initiatives. Meanwhile, the administration has signaled that other allies, including South Korea, may face similar “investment-for-tariff” pressures in the coming months.
