Japan Commits $36 Billion to US Investment Projects Under Trade Deal

Historic Investment Unveiled

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the selection of three significant investment projects in the United States, to be funded by Japan. These projects, collectively valued at $36 billion, represent the initial phase of Japan's substantial $550 billion capital fund commitment to the U.S.. The announcement was made via President Trump's social media platform, Truth Social, where he stated, 'Japan is now officially, and financially, moving forward with the FIRST set of Investments under its $$550 BILLION Commitment to invest in the United States of America.'

Details of the Selected Projects

The three projects span critical sectors of the U.S. economy, focusing on energy and advanced manufacturing. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick provided further details in a statement. The investments include:

• A natural gas generation facility in Ohio, specifically the Portsmouth Powered Land Project, which is the most significant investment at an estimated $33 billion. This facility is projected to generate 9.2 gigawatts of power and will be operated by SB Energy, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.
• A deep-water crude oil export facility in the Gulf of Mexico, known as Texas GulfLink, with an investment of $2.1 billion. This terminal, to be operated by Sentinel Midstream, is expected to generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in annual U.S. crude exports once fully operational.
• A synthetic industrial diamond manufacturing plant in Georgia, valued at approximately $600 million. This facility will be operated by Element Six, a subsidiary of De Beers, and aims to onshore 100% of U.S. demand for synthetic diamond grit, a critical material for industries such as semiconductors and automotive.

Context of the $550 Billion Commitment

Japan's $550 billion investment pledge is a cornerstone of a trade deal reached in July 2025 between the two nations. This agreement saw the U.S. reduce tariffs on Japanese imports from 25% to 15% in exchange for Japan's commitment to invest in American industries. President Trump emphasized the role of tariffs in facilitating these investments, stating, 'The scale of these projects are so large, and could not be done without one very special word, TARIFFS.' The investments are intended to revitalize the American industrial base, create jobs, and strengthen national and economic security. An investment committee, chaired by Secretary Lutnick, recommends projects for presidential approval, with Japan providing input on feasibility.

Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements

The announcement comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's planned visit to the White House on March 19, where the implementation of this trade and economic agreement is expected to be a key topic of discussion. Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa had held talks with Secretary Lutnick last week, indicating ongoing coordination regarding the investment initiatives.