The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) stands at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the nation’s industrial base and protect American jobs in 2025. As the U.S. economy continues to evolve in a rapidly changing global environment, AAM’s work remains crucial in ensuring that manufacturing stays a core pillar of national prosperity, security, and identity.
Since its founding in 2007, the Alliance has built a strong reputation for bringing together labor leaders, business owners, and policymakers to champion domestic production and fair trade. Today, its influence reaches from factory floors in the Midwest to the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C.
The Mission and Leadership Behind AAM
The Alliance for American Manufacturing was established as a collaboration between the United Steelworkers (USW) union and leading U.S. manufacturers. Its founding mission was straightforward but ambitious — to ensure the United States maintains a strong manufacturing economy capable of creating high-quality jobs and sustaining innovation.
At the center of this effort is Scott Paul, AAM’s president since its inception. Under his leadership, the Alliance has consistently pushed for trade enforcement, supply chain resilience, and policies that prioritize domestic production over imports. Paul’s advocacy emphasizes that rebuilding U.S. manufacturing isn’t just an economic issue — it’s a matter of national security and long-term stability.
AAM operates as a bipartisan organization, engaging policymakers across the political spectrum to advance industrial strategies that support both workers and businesses.
AAM’s Core Priorities in 2025
The year 2025 has brought new challenges and opportunities for American industry. The Alliance for American Manufacturing has focused its work around several major priorities shaping the U.S. economy today.
1. Rebuilding Domestic Supply Chains
AAM continues to advocate for reshoring — the process of bringing production back to American soil. Recent disruptions in global supply chains, from pandemic-era shortages to geopolitical conflicts, have exposed the risks of overreliance on foreign manufacturing.
The Alliance supports expanding domestic capacity in critical industries such as:
- Semiconductors, through full implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act.
- Steel and aluminum, essential for construction, defense, and infrastructure.
- Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, to ensure public health resilience.
- Clean energy technology, including solar panels, wind turbines, and EV batteries.
AAM emphasizes that incentives and tax credits for these industries must directly benefit U.S. workers and facilities — not overseas producers.
2. Ensuring “Buy America” Compliance
One of AAM’s longest-running campaigns is its push for strong Buy America provisions. These rules require that taxpayer-funded infrastructure and federal projects use materials produced in the United States.
In 2025, the organization has monitored implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ensuring that new roads, bridges, airports, and transit systems are built using American-made steel, cement, and manufactured goods.
AAM argues that enforcing Buy America doesn’t just create jobs — it keeps taxpayer dollars circulating within the U.S. economy, supporting local communities and small businesses.
3. Promoting Clean Energy Manufacturing
As the United States transitions toward renewable energy, AAM has called for this shift to happen without outsourcing green manufacturing jobs. The Alliance insists that clean energy products — from wind turbines to electric vehicle batteries — should be made by American workers in American factories.
Through public campaigns and policy advocacy, AAM has urged automakers, battery producers, and energy developers to invest in domestic facilities, ensuring that climate progress goes hand-in-hand with industrial growth.
4. Combating Unfair Trade Practices
Trade fairness remains one of AAM’s foundational issues. The organization continues to challenge the effects of China’s state-subsidized industries, which have distorted global markets through overproduction and export dumping.
AAM has pressed the U.S. government to maintain strong tariffs on unfairly traded imports and to strengthen monitoring of goods made with forced labor. The Alliance argues that these protections are essential to prevent the erosion of American jobs and manufacturing competitiveness.
5. Protecting the U.S. Steel Industry
Steel manufacturing has always been symbolic of America’s industrial might — and AAM has made it a top priority. In 2025, the organization continues to defend domestic steel production against illegal dumping and global oversupply.
AAM highlights that U.S. steelmakers operate under the world’s highest environmental and labor standards. Using domestic steel in construction and defense projects not only safeguards jobs but also ensures higher quality and national security.
Recent Accomplishments and Public Engagement
Throughout 2025, the Alliance for American Manufacturing has played a visible and influential role in shaping economic policy and raising public awareness.
- Reshoring Success: AAM’s recent reports indicate that more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs have been brought back to the United States since 2020. Many of these are in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, electric vehicles, and defense manufacturing.
- Public Advocacy: AAM continues to educate the public about the value of buying U.S.-made goods. Its “Made in America” holiday campaigns encourage consumers to support domestic businesses when shopping for everyday products.
- Policy Influence: AAM has been actively involved in discussions with the Biden administration and Congress on strengthening industrial policy, offering data-driven insights on job growth and trade enforcement.
- National Manufacturing Day 2025: AAM took part in this year’s nationwide celebrations, organizing factory tours and educational events highlighting manufacturing careers for young Americans.
Through these initiatives, the Alliance continues to blend advocacy, education, and research to shape the national dialogue around industry and jobs.
Manufacturing’s Role in America’s Economic Recovery
In 2025, manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the U.S. economy. The sector employs roughly 13 million workers nationwide, with growth concentrated in regions like the Midwest, South, and Mountain West.
New investments in chip fabrication, automotive production, and infrastructure are driving what many have called a “manufacturing renaissance.” AAM credits these gains to stronger domestic investment, better trade enforcement, and policies that prioritize American workers.
Still, the organization warns that this progress could stall without continued support. It calls for long-term investments in workforce training, apprenticeships, and technical education to prepare the next generation for advanced manufacturing jobs.
Challenges on the Horizon
While there’s much to celebrate, AAM acknowledges that U.S. manufacturing faces ongoing challenges.
- Global competition remains fierce, with some countries continuing to subsidize exports in violation of trade agreements.
- Automation and AI are transforming the nature of manufacturing work, requiring workers to continually upgrade their skills.
- Labor shortages persist in key industries, from skilled trades to engineering.
- Environmental standards must be balanced with competitiveness to ensure sustainability without burdening manufacturers.
AAM believes these challenges can be overcome through collaboration between industry, labor, and government. The group emphasizes that manufacturing policy should be treated as national policy — a foundation for economic strength, not an afterthought.
AAM’s Bipartisan Approach
One of the defining features of the Alliance for American Manufacturing is its bipartisan strategy. The organization works with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who share its goal of rebuilding domestic industry.
In 2025, AAM has participated in multiple congressional hearings and public forums to provide insights on trade policy, energy production, and job creation. Its data and testimony help guide legislation that supports fair trade enforcement, domestic sourcing, and long-term economic security.
AAM’s balanced, fact-based approach allows it to bridge divides between political parties and unite them around a common purpose — strengthening America’s industrial backbone.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Alliance for American Manufacturing
As the U.S. prepares for the next decade of economic change, AAM is positioning itself to play an even greater role in shaping policy and public understanding. The organization’s upcoming initiatives aim to connect with younger generations, small businesses, and innovators in emerging industries.
In 2026, AAM plans to expand its outreach through educational programs, public events, and online campaigns that highlight the connection between everyday consumer choices and national prosperity.
President Scott Paul has summarized AAM’s outlook simply:
“When we make things in America, we build more than products — we build pride, stability, and opportunity. Manufacturing is the foundation of our economy and the heart of our communities.”
Why AAM’s Work Matters
The Alliance for American Manufacturing represents more than a policy organization — it’s a movement that embodies American resilience. Its work directly influences how companies invest, how workers train, and how the country competes globally.
By keeping the focus on fairness, sustainability, and innovation, AAM ensures that “Made in America” remains a symbol of strength and integrity.
In 2025, as global markets shift and technology evolves, the organization’s message remains clear: a stronger America begins with strong manufacturing.
What are your thoughts on the future of American manufacturing? Share your opinions on the Alliance for American Manufacturing’s work in the comments below.