The return of the American manufacturing sector is real and good for business

The manufacturing sector is receiving renewed attention from American companies, with Walmart among large companies publicly reaffirming its commitment to domestic production.

At CNBC’s inaugural Invest in America forum, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said the company is increasing its investments in American-made products and suppliers, describing it as part of a long-standing strategic priority.

“Investing in manufacturing and operations in the United States, of course, is good for business, but it’s also good for jobs. It’s good for jobs. It’s great for the country, and it helps us make our supply chain flexible and dynamic,” Furner said.

Nearly two-thirds of the products Walmart sells are made, grown or assembled in the United States, according to Furner. Walmart is expanding on that front, including opening a new beef processing plant in Olathe, Kansas, which it says is expected to create more than 600 jobs.

“It’s a big investment, and it’s really important to have quality products that are sourced more sustainably and can be delivered to customers,” Furner said.

Furner also highlighted specific categories where domestic production is being revived, citing a recent partnership with USAntibiotics aimed at “bringing back products like amoxicillin to be manufactured here in the United States.”

Nonetheless, global sourcing remains critical to Walmart’s operations.

“We source from all over the world,” Furner said. “There are things grown around the world that tend to grow better in other climates, you know, coffee might be an example…I think there’s a lot of possibilities.”

The increased public interest in U.S. manufacturing comes amid trade policy uncertainty, with tariffs and interest rates remaining at the heart of retailers’ equation for how much inventory to stock and how to set prices. For his part, Furner was uncertain about the future of the levies.

“As policies change, they will change. Environments will change. It happens. Commodities change,” he said. “We’ve landed in a place where we have more setbacks in the fall than we did at the beginning of the year, and that’s something we’re proud of.”

Despite uncertain economic challenges, Furner said Walmart is pushing to lower prices for consumers.

“We want to try to keep prices as low as possible, for as long as possible,” he said. “We see a resilient customer who makes really smart choices about what’s right for them and their family when shopping.”