October 25, 2026 to October 31, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

President Trump Initiates Section 232 Restrictions on Robotics and Industrial Machinery Imports

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, determining that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and related components constitute a national security risk due to the sector’s importance to defense and critical infrastructure. The investigation, led by the Secretary of Commerce, found that U.S. industry lacks sufficient capacity and is overly reliant on foreign suppliers, presenting risks to the industrial base and cybersecurity of manufacturing. The President directed the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to begin negotiations with trading partners to address these concerns, with a 180-day timeline to report on progress. The proclamation grants authority for further measures, including tariffs, quotas, and incentives for domestic manufacturing if necessary. Ongoing monitoring and additional action may be taken to mitigate identified threats.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Releases Clean Air Act Applicability Determinations and Alternative Test Method Approvals

The Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of recent Clean Air Act applicability determinations, regulatory interpretations, and alternative monitoring approvals for stationary sources, covering actions made from June 2025 to July 2026. Decisions include clarifications for NSPS, NESHAP, and Emission Guidelines compliance, such as alternative temperature monitoring for landfill gas extraction wells, alternative test waivers for storage vessels, and performance test extensions for various industry sites. The EPA also listed six new broadly applicable alternative test methods for emission monitoring and analysis, including alternatives for EPA Method 9 (opacity) and Method 18 (gaseous compounds). Full documents and details are available on the EPA’s Applicability Determination Dashboard and website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

PHMSA Proposes Rule for Harmonization with International Hazardous Materials Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations for alignment with the latest international standards. The proposal updates regulations to incorporate recent editions of the UN Model Regulations, ICAO Technical Instructions, IMDG Code, and relevant ISO standards. Changes affect definitions, classification, packaging, marking, labeling, and testing requirements for hazardous materials transport, and introduce new and revised special provisions for lithium and sodium batteries, refrigerating and heating machines, and organic peroxides. PHMSA notes the amendments are intended to facilitate efficient movement in international trade while maintaining safety. Comments are due by December 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of CVD and AD Trade Actions Affecting Manufacturing Inputs

The Department of Commerce initiated antidumping investigations on certain corrugated die-cut cardboard boxes from China, Malaysia, and Turkey following petitions alleging imports are sold at less than fair value. Separate investigations are also proceeding for a countervailing duty against Turkey regarding subsidies. These actions are based on industry claims of material injury, including reduced market share and price suppression, impacting the U.S. manufacturing and packaging sector. Investigations cover product scope, periods of investigation, and respondent selection, with deadlines for comments and participation detailed in official notices. Related actions on aluminum foil and steel wire mesh, as well as continuation of certain duty orders, were also published the same week.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House and Finland Sign Memorandum on Technology and Industrial Collaboration

The United States and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in strategic science and technology sectors, including quantum technology, energy innovation, shipbuilding, and secure digital infrastructure. The agreement is designed to deepen industrial ties, promote regulatory harmonization, and facilitate research in areas such as manufacturing modernization, energy innovation, space, and Arctic operations. The arrangement is non-binding and excludes obligations for expenditures or classified information, with a provision for modification or discontinuation upon notice.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• AI Startup Lumaril Wants to Make Factories the Best Version of Themselves: A new AI company is developing tools aimed at optimizing factory operations for greater productivity.
• IEA flags concentration of clean energy supply chains as emerging challenge: The International Energy Agency warns that supply chain concentration could challenge the rollout of clean energy technologies.
• Haier Breaks Ground on New Washing Machine Factory in Thailand to Strengthen Global Manufacturing Network: Haier launches construction of a new plant in Thailand as part of its worldwide manufacturing expansion.
• The Startup Building a Supply Chain to Make Explosives for Drones: A U.S. startup is building domestic supply chains for drone explosives to support the defense sector.
• COMMENTARY: Boosting Western supply of refined critical metals means de-risking investment. But how?: Analysis explores ways to de-risk investments needed for Western production of refined critical metals.
• Indo-Pacific Quad ministers work on supply chains, denounce arbitrary export restrictions: Quad foreign ministers hold talks on resilient supply chains and criticize arbitrary trade restrictions.

.