This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning most types of manufacturing activities (except agricultural, automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceutical), e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Manufacturing? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Mining and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Manufacturing - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Agriculture Committee to Hold Hearing on Fertilizer Supply: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will examine perspectives on fertilizer industry supply stability on May 12, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) in Dirksen 106.
• Senate Small Business Committee Hearing on Industrialization: The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will convene on May 13, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) in Russell 428A for hearings regarding industrialization and the rise of small manufacturers.
• House Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing: Private-Sector Safety Strategies: House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections will meet May 13, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. (EDT) in Rayburn 2175 to discuss "Building a Safer Future: Private-Sector Strategies for Emerging Safety Issues."

Federal Government News

Commerce Department Begins Investigations into Tin Mill Products and Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol Imports

The U.S. Department of Commerce initiated less-than-fair-value investigations into tin mill imports from China, Taiwan, and Türkiye, following allegations by U.S. Steel Corporation and United Steelworkers Union concerning unfair pricing and subsidies. Scope covers tin, chromium, and chromium oxide-coated products. Separate countervailing duty investigations of China’s tin mill products address 19 alleged subsidy programs for January–December 2025. Commerce also began less-than-fair-value investigations on polytetramethylene ether glycol imports from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, with estimated dumping margins up to 339.69% for China. Petitioners provided industry support, with BASF Corporation as the sole U.S. producer of PTMEG. Respondent selection relies on U.S. Customs and Border Protection data and quantity/value questionnaires; preliminary findings expected within 140 days; ITC injury determinations within 45 days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

OSHA Information Collection on Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards

The Department of Labor's OSHA submitted an information collection request to OMB for review concerning respirable crystalline silica standards in general industry, maritime, and construction. Employers are required to monitor worker exposure, maintain regulated areas or access control plans, conduct medical surveillance, and preserve exposure and medical records. The request targets over 818,000 respondents, with an estimated 8,186,825 annual burden hours and $220.8 million in other costs. Comments are open until June 8, 2026, and OMB authorization is sought for a three-year term.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USITC Seeks Public Interest Comments on Nanolaminate Alloy-Coated Metal Parts Case

The U.S. International Trade Commission announced a request for submissions regarding the public interest in an administrative law judge's determination on Section 337 violations concerning nanolaminate alloy-coated metal parts. The recommended relief includes a limited exclusion order against Parker Hannifin Corporation and others, pending final Commission review. Submissions should address public health and safety, availability of U.S. alternatives, and impact on U.S. consumers; deadline for comment is June 2, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Energy Information Administration Proposes Annual Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey

The Energy Information Administration announced a new annual survey for manufacturing energy consumption, supplementing its quadrennial Form EIA-846 collection. Form EIA-847 targets NAICS codes 31-33 and will reduce the respondent burden by focusing on essential energy data for updating the National Energy Modeling System. The survey expects 4,500 respondents, 8,484 annual burden hours, and an estimated reporting and recordkeeping cost of $805,895. Data will be collected electronically, and comments are due by June 4, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House April Jobs Report: Manufacturing Sector Posts Gains

The April 2026 jobs report, released by the White House, showed the U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs, outpacing forecasts. Manufacturing saw a net gain of 12,600 factory construction jobs in April, marking the first sector growth since 2023. Federal workforce reductions under President Trump have decreased total government employment by 345,000 positions. Prime-age labor force participation rates remain robust. Analysts noted continued resilience despite geopolitical disruptions; unemployment rate held at 4.3%.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Bill 8706: Amending Energy Act of 2020 on Energy Storage Technology

Bill 8706 seeks to modify Energy Act of 2020 programs concerning energy storage technology. Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology as of May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill 8715: Clean Air Act Penalty Enhancement for Utilities

Bill 8715 proposes enhanced penalties for investor-owned electric or gas utilities that increase rates within two years before or after penalty assessment. Latest action: Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Indiana Signs Legislation to Optimize Electricity Transmission

Gov. Braun signed Senate Enrolled Act 240, authored by Sen. Eric Koch, allowing surplus interconnection capacity to be used by new generation or battery storage units, reducing costs and speeding grid access.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Attention must be paid to supply chain shifts. Rhode Island should know.: Rhode Island examines local manufacturing supply chain adaptation efforts.
• Lilly commits additional $4.5 billion in Indiana manufacturing sites: Eli Lilly announces expanded Indiana manufacturing investment for pharmaceutical production.
• He Managed Finances on Tesla’s Model 3. Now He Wants to Break China’s Grip on Chip-Making Materials: Former Tesla executive pursues U.S. manufacturing for chip-making supply chain independence.
• Asia Manufacturing Sector Feeling Strain From Middle East Conflict: Middle East conflict impacts Asian manufacturing sector operations and export flows.
• Trump’s crackdown on China-linked solar firms stalls U.S. factory boom: Recent U.S. policy action delays progress on domestic solar manufacturing capacity.
• Stellantis, Leapmotor deepen ties with joint EV production in Europe: Stellantis and Leapmotor expand electric vehicle manufacturing partnership in Europe.

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