President Donald Trump and Mesabi Metallics executives unveiled plans for a $15 billion steel mill in Iowa, highlighting the investment as domestic manufacturing spending while Republicans face competitive midterm contests in the state. A White House official said steelmaking could begin in 2030 and the project could support more than 1,700 jobs. Mesabi, part of India's Essar Group, expects the facility to produce 10 million tons of steel annually once fully built out. A $2.5 billion Mesabi iron ore mine on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range is intended to supply the plant, bringing the combined investment to $17.5 billion. The Minnesota operation recently opened as the state's first new iron ore mine in 50 years. Earlier White House descriptions projected 1,750 Iowa jobs, while the latest official estimate says the project could support more than 1,700 jobs. Trump credited 50% steel-import tariffs imposed last year with encouraging U.S. manufacturing investment. Steel trade groups have argued that the tariffs have drawn more than $40 billion in investment and created thousands of jobs, while high U.S. steel prices have increased costs for companies that use the metal.