Japan Unleashes $36 Billion US Investment Wave Following Bilateral Trade Pact

In a major economic development stemming from a recent bilateral trade agreement, the United States government announced $36 billion in new investments from Japan across three states, according to a report from Reuters on February 17, 2026. The projects in Ohio, Texas, and Georgia represent the first significant deployment of capital under Japan’s $550 billion U.S. investment pledge, a cornerstone of a trade deal that lowered U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports.

The largest of the three projects is a colossal $33 billion natural gas power plant slated for Portsmouth, Ohio, which is set to become the largest facility of its kind in United States history. The other investments include a $2.1 billion deepwater crude oil export terminal in Texas and a $600 million synthetic industrial diamond manufacturing plant in Georgia. These initiatives signal a rapid mobilization of Japanese capital into strategic U.S. sectors following the new trade framework.

The economic implications of these investments are substantial. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the Texas oil terminal’s potential, stating it is ‘expected to generate $20-30 billion annually in U.S. crude exports’. This facility is poised to significantly boost America’s energy export capacity. Meanwhile, the Georgia plant is projected to satisfy 100% of the U.S. demand for synthetic diamond grit, a critical component in various industrial applications, thereby enhancing domestic supply chain resilience.

The announcement underscores the tangible outcomes of the free trade agreement, translating diplomatic and trade policy into large-scale industrial and energy projects. For businesses, these investments will create significant opportunities in construction, logistics, and skilled labor, particularly within the energy and advanced manufacturing sectors of the three recipient states. The move is seen as a direct fulfillment of the trade pact’s promise to deepen economic ties and foster mutual growth, as reported by sources including Kyodo News and the Seoul Economic Daily.