Washington — The Trump administration announced Jan. 27 that more than 20 executives at manufacturing companies will join the government's newly formed Manufacturing Jobs Initiative, including Michael Polk, the CEO of Newell Brands, one of the largest injection molding companies in the U.S.
The announcement listed 25 business executives, two labor leaders and one manufacturing trade association who will work with the effort, including Andrew Liveris, the chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical Co. The list also includes Inge Thulin, chairman, CEO and president of 3M Inc.
“The president will be meeting with some of the world's most successful and creative business leaders to share their experiences and gain their insights,” according to a statement from the White House.
“President Trump plans to continually seek information and perspectives from a diverse range of business leaders, including those listed below and others, on how best to promote job growth and get Americans back to work again,” it said.
In a Dec. 9 speech in Michigan, Trump named Liveris to head what was called the American Manufacturing Council.
The Jan. 27 statement does not specifically say that Liveris will chair the effort, although he is listed first and the statement thanks him for his work, including organizing the first series of meetings.
The White House statement did not offer more details. A Dow Chemical statement said the initiative “will offer perspectives and information to President Trump and his Administration on a variety of policy priorities that will spur job growth and productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector.”
“This diverse group of leading manufacturing CEOs and labor leaders will help identify and work with experts from across the country to make U.S. manufacturing more competitive,” it said. “The work of the Initiative members will be a major step in helping the U.S. reclaim its role as the world's manufacturing leader.”
Liveris attended a Jan. 23 White House meeting with Trump and about a dozen other manufacturing executives.
After that meeting, media reports said Liveris told reporters the White House wanted the CEOs to present recommendations in 30 days. The White House statement said that “no consensus advice or recommendations resulting from group deliberations or interaction is expected or will be solicited.”
