At ReMA2025, held last week in San Diego, Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), took the stage to emphasize the symbiotic relationship between the manufacturing and recycling industries, and to offer policy recommendations for the future of American manufacturing.

At the beginning of his speech, Timmons introduced the history of the San Diego Convention Center, the event venue, and spoke of his own roots, inspired by President Reagan’s speeches. He also referenced the comic book heroes he admired as a child, declaring, “The people working in manufacturing are the real superheroes of today.”

He highlighted that over 13 million people are employed in manufacturing across the United States. “With that power,” he said, “we could fill Comic-Con a hundred times over. That’s the scale and strength of manufacturing.”

Five Pillars of a Comprehensive Manufacturing Strategy

Timmons outlined NAM’s comprehensive manufacturing strategy in five key areas:

1. Continued Tax Reform

He called for making the corporate tax cuts introduced in 2017 permanent. These tax reforms, he explained, led to a surge in manufacturing employment and record-high capital investment. However, some of those tax provisions have expired, and many more are set to lapse later this year. “Unless legislative action is taken immediately, we risk losing 1.1 million manufacturing jobs and seeing a $1.1 trillion reduction in GDP,” he warned.

2. Regulatory Review and Rationalization

Timmons pointed out that manufacturers currently spend about $350 billion annually on regulatory compliance, with small manufacturers bearing costs of up to $50,000 per employee. Calling this “unsustainable,” he urged the adoption of NAM’s 44-point proposal for regulatory reform to build a more balanced regulatory environment.

3. Energy and Permitting Reform

He criticized the lengthy approval processes for all types of energy projects—from pipelines to renewables and rare earth mining—stating that they take 80% longer in the U.S. compared to other countries. He advocated for a permitting system that is both swift and predictable to support manufacturing growth.

4. Trade Policy Stabilization

Referring to trade tensions, including those with China, Timmons remarked that reciprocal tariffs “create uncertainty.” While acknowledging the recent 90-day tariff suspension, he stressed the need for “sustainable and enforceable trade agreements,” and called for a new framework based on zero-for-zero tariffs (mutual elimination of tariffs).

5. Workforce Development and Immigration Policy

With 500,000 manufacturing job openings every month and a projected labor shortage of up to 1.9 million by 2033, Timmons highlighted the urgent need for a skilled and diverse workforce. He emphasized the importance of vocational training and immigration policy reform to meet this challenge.

“If Recycling Wins, America Wins”

Midway through his speech, Timmons reflected on how his grandfather worked at a paper mill in Ohio, saying, “My family was raised on paper and recycling.” He praised ReMA President Robin Wiener as “a leader who has driven this industry for 25 years with passion and conviction, a true force for progress in the sector.”

Speaking about recycled materials, Timmons emphasized, “They support everything from roads and homes to electric vehicles and packaging. Recycling is the engine of the economy itself.” He underscored the interconnectedness of infrastructure development and recyclable resources.

In conclusion, Timmons declared, “If recycling wins, manufacturing wins. If manufacturing wins, America wins.”

(IRuniverse Lin)

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