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US Trade Deficit Shrinks to $29.4 Billion, Lowest Since 2009

William Attardi on January 8, 2026

The U.S. trade deficit has been reduced to $29.4 billion, after last being reported at $48.1 billion. The forecasted deficit had been $58.1 billion, com reported. The deficit dropped by $18.7 billion, and was $28.7 billion less than the predicted figure. The deficit is the lowest since 2009,according the news reports. The improved trade balance indicates that while the U.S. is still importing more goods and services than exporting them, the reduced deficit could strengthen the U.S. dollar. With a stronger currency, there could be increased foreign demand for the dollar, resulting in an appreciation in its value. US trade deficit shrinks to $29.4 billion, lowest since 2009 | Just The News

The Next Wave of Industry 4.0

William Attardi on January 7, 2026

For years, manufacturers have been told the future of Industry 4.0 lives in the cloud. Cloud-first AI may be powerful, but for many manufacturers, it’s too disruptive, too risky, or simply incompatible with day-to-day requirements on the shop floor. As we head into 2026, we’re seeing an inflection point. Manufacturers are embracing a new model of AI: lightweight, on-premise agents that integrate directly with existing systems rather than replacing them. These systems don’t require a rip-and-replace strategy or a costly cloud migration. Instead, they work with what’s already there. It’s a more grounded, incremental approach that aligns with how factories actually operate and how leaders actually make decisions. This shift is happening for three reasons at: The Next Wave of Industry 4.0 | Quality Digest

Siemens and NVIDIA Expand Partnership

William Attardi on January 7, 2026

Siemens and NVIDIA announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership to bring artificial intelligence into the real world. Together, the companies aim to develop industrial and physical AI solutions that will bring AI-driven innovation to every industry and industrial workflow, as well as accelerate each other’s operations. To support development, NVIDIA will provide AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, models, frameworks and blueprints, while Siemens will commit hundreds of industrial AI experts and leading hardware and software. Siemens and NVIDIA will work together to build AI-accelerated industrial solutions across the full lifecycle of products and production, enabling faster innovation, continuous optimization and more resilient, sustainable manufacturing.  Siemens and NVIDIA Expand Partnership – tEDmag

Mobile Robots Future-Proofing Supply Chains by Michael Murphy

William Attardi on December 30, 2025

Tariff implications and geopolitical tensions impact global supply chains, forcing manufacturers to think about how they manage inventory and minimize the effects of inflation. To address these conditions, manufacturers are turning to innovations, including mobile robots, that can offer more predictability for warehouse operations. Robots can work continuously to keep the flow of goods moving. With the ability to move hundreds of cases an hour, they can ensure that daily goals are met even as order-fulfillment demands increase. Automating this inbound process can alleviate several challenges for manufacturers. Mobile Robots Future-Proofing Supply Chains | advancedmanufacturing.org

Microsoft, Google among 24 firms joining US AI ‘Genesis Mission’ by Courtney Subramanian

William Attardi on December 18, 2025

Two dozen top artificial intelligence companies have signed on to join the federal government’s “Genesis Mission,” an effort by the Trump administration to boost the use of the emerging technology for scientific discovery and energy projects. OpenAI, Microsoft Corp., Nvidia Corp., Amazon Web Services and Alphabet Inc.’s Google were among the firms that have either already signed memorandums of understanding with the government, have existing projects with the Energy Department or national laboratories, or have expressed interest in joining the effort, according to a White House statement. The mission will harness the computing resources of the Energy Department’s national labs to tap federal datasets and enable more experiments utilizing AI, Michael Kratsios said at the time. He predicted the effort would help shorten the timeline for scientific discoveries. Microsoft, Google among 24 firms joining US AI ‘Genesis Mission’

DOE Advances Investments in AI for Science

William Attardi on December 15, 2025

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)has announced over $320 million in investments to rapidly advance the Genesis Mission’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. These awards are in accordance with President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut and other DOE appropriations to advance “AI for science” initiatives at the DOE. The awards will begin building the integrated American Science and Security Platform, a discovery engine designed to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering investments within a decade. To view the full list of projects and awards, please click here. DOE Advances Investments in AI for Science – electrifiED

 

SpaceX Plans 2026 IPO

William Attardi on December 15, 2025

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk called reports of a planned IPO by SpaceX “accurate” on X, setting the stage for what could be a massing financial infusion for the company. Analysts are speculating the IPO could draw at least $800 billion to the company. Musk says a key strategy for SpaceX will include data centers in space, and the IPO will help fund the potential project. The per share price is expected to begin at $421. If the IPO happens next year, it could make SpaceX the most valuable company in the world. Business News Today – tEDmag

NEMA Commends House on Passage of Urgent Electrical Supply Chain Legislation

William Attardi on December 12, 2025

“NEMA commends the House for passing the Electric Supply Chain Act (R. 3638) championed by Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH). This legislation represents a critical step toward securing America’s energy infrastructure and strengthening our nation’s global competitiveness. “As artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data centers drive once-in-a-generation electricity demand growth, this bill ensures electrical manufacturers have the supply chain visibility needed to support American energy reliability and affordability. Enabling grid componentmanufacturers and supply chain vendors to provide greater transparency into current and future production capacity, investment needs, and potential constraints gives the energy sector the ability to plan, grow, and strengthen supply chain resilience. STATEMENT: NEMA Commends House on Passage of Urgent Electrical Supply Chain Legislation    – NEMA

As Legislation Dims Fluorescent Bulbs, Edge LED’s Light Labor Retrofit Panel Offers a 2-Minute LED Fix

William Attardi on December 9, 2025

A growing number of states are enacting legislation to phase out fluorescent tube lighting, signaling a decisive shift away from older, mercury-containing technologies toward modern, energy-efficient alternatives. This regulatory transition creates an immediate, nationwide demand for fast, compliant, and cost-saving replacement solutions. Edge LED LED Lighting Source – Edge LED announced the broad availability of its Light Labor Retrofit LED Flat Panel product. This innovative system allows facility teams to complete a full fixture upgrade in just over two minutes per fixture, eliminating the pain points of traditional, disruptive upgrades. The solution is specifically designed to retrofit common recessed lighting systems, accommodating 1’x4′, 2’x4′, and 2’x2′ fixture sizes. To ensure facilities nationwide can secure compliant replacements immediately, Edge LED has partnered with REXEL, a global leader in the distribution of electrical supplies, to make Light Labor available through its extensive distribution network. [News] As Legislation Dims Fluorescent Bulbs, Edge LED’s Light Labor Retrofit Panel Offers a 2-Minute LED Fix – LEDinside

Google and Siemens Invest in Electrical Training to Support Future Infrastructure Needs by Tom Zind

William Attardi on December 9, 2025

Google and Siemens are investing heavily in electrical training programs to combat a looming shortage of skilled electrical workers. Key Takeaways:

  • Google plans to fund training for 130,000 total electrical workers and apprentices, leveraging AI and virtual reality to modernize education.
  • Siemens aims to add 200,000 electricians and manufacturing experts by 2030 through expanded partnerships and digital training tools.
  • Both companies emphasize the critical role of industry collaboration and innovative training methods to address future workforce shortages.
  • These efforts highlight a proactive approach to workforce development in response to industry growth and technological advancements.

Google and Siemens Invest in Electrical Training to Support Future Infrastructure Needs | EC&M

The Genesis of the U.S. Space Force – On December 20, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020, officially creating the United States Space Force, a new and independent branch of the U.S. military. The establishment of the Space Force marked a historic shift in how the U.S. views and manages its military operations in space, reflecting the growing importance of space as both a domain of strategic competition and national security. The Space Force is tasked with ensuring the U.S. maintains its superiority in space, focusing on both the defense of space assets and the development of offensive capabilities. Its mission includes:

  1. Space Operations: Overseeing space-based systems, such as satellites, that provide essential services to the U.S. military, including communication, reconnaissance, and missile defense.
  2. Space Security: Protecting U.S. space infrastructure from threats, including anti-satellite weapons, cyberattacks, and other potential forms of disruption by adversarial nations.
  3. Space Research and Development: Developing and deploying cutting-edge space technologies, including space-based defense systems, that ensure the U.S. maintains an edge in space exploration and military operations.
  4. Supporting National Defense: Integrating space capabilities into broader national defense strategies, ensuring that U.S. forces can operate effectively in space as part of a multi-domain approach to warfare.

The Space Force is designed to streamline and strengthen the U.S. military’s space operations, which were previously under the purview of the U.S. Air Force. By separating space operations into a distinct branch, the government hoped to increase focus on space as a critical area of national defense and enhance the U.S. military’s ability to respond to emerging threats. Source: Day in History