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U.S. Factory Production Surges 0.6% Amid Tariff Debate

2/18/2026

42 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In January 2026, U.S. factory production rose 0.6%, the largest increase in nearly a year.
The rise followed a stagnant December.
Manufacturing output rose 2.4% year over year.
The sector accounts for 10.1% of the economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump defended tariffs as essential to revitalizing the domestic industrial base, despite tariffs and high rates challenging the sector, which lost over 80,000 jobs in the previous year.

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Story summary

In January 2026, U.S. factory production rose 0.6%, the largest increase in nearly a year.
The rise followed a stagnant December.
Manufacturing output rose 2.4% year over year.
The sector accounts for 10.1% of the economy.
U.S. President Donald Trump defended tariffs as essential to revitalizing the domestic industrial base, despite tariffs and high rates challenging the sector, which lost over 80,000 jobs in the previous year.