Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Why Trump is Obsessed with Tariffs on Aluminum, Steel and Copper

Many have been wondering why President Trump levied 50% tariffs on aluminum, steel and copper despite these three metals being critical to many manufacturing processes. Looking deeper, it emerges that there are deeper reasons than just economics.

Trump’s political base is dominated by blue-collar workers, especially men. These are individuals that don’t have a college education and largely work or worked in factories. As manufacturing was offshored, these blue-collar workers took the brunt of the resultant job losses, and many are struggling to find employment.

The Make America Great Again movement is premised on restoring manufacturing so that this section of the population can thrive again. This partially explains why Trump has targeted imports of that trio of metals yet such hefty tariffs seem to defy logic to many analysts.

To understand how deeply Trump wants manufacturing to return to U.S. soil, think about the so-called “Rust Belt,” the stretch starting from New York State all through the entire Midwest. That reference to rust reflects the disused production sites and mills whose buildings and equipment are rusting and crumbling after activities there went silent when cheaper labor and inputs rendered state-side operations and products uncompetitive internationally.

For most of the last century, the U.S. was the number one global producer of copper, until Chile claimed this title. To this day, Chile is the biggest producer of copper globally. As for steel, the 1970s saw a rapid decline in U.S. steel production that was worsened by several recessions. Europe, South Korea and Japan developed efficient and less costly steel production technologies that supplanted those in the U.S., and that marked the end of American dominance in steel production.

During the last century, cheap electricity coupled with roaring domestic demand within the automotive, aerospace and defence industries enabled the U.S. to dominate aluminum production globally. After 2000, China emerged as a major producer and eventually became the largest aluminum producer in the world.

All these shifts led to economic decline in the states and towns where the production of those metals was conducted, and declines were also evident in regions where industries that depended on those metals existed.

MAGA is premised on restoring this lost glory and it is the reason why tariffs on these specific metal imports are so high.

For now, industries that rely on importing these inputs are going to feel the pain of those levies, and the challenges are likely to persist for a while until local extraction and processing of these metals ramps up to meet domestic demand, or Trump shifts goal posts again in true TACO format. But, given how deep his desire to give blue-collar workers their time in the sun, we are unlikely to see another TACO moment regarding these specific tariffs.

For exploration firms like Torr Metals Inc. (TSX.V: TMET) operating in Canada, the situation in the South across the border could present some unique opportunities to attract investment and ramp up company operations.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Torr Metals Inc. (TSX.V: TMET) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/TMET

About Rocks & Stocks

Rocks & Stocks (“R&S”) is a specialized communications platform delivering deep insights into the mining industry. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, R&S is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, R&S brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness.

R&S is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

To receive SMS alerts from Rocks & Stocks, text “Rocks” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://RocksAndStocks.news

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the Rocks & Stocks website applicable to all content provided by R&S, wherever published or re-published: https://RocksAndStocks.news/Disclaimer

Rocks & Stocks
Los Angeles, CA
RocksAndStocks.news
310.299.1717 Office
Editor@RocksAndStocks.news

Rocks & Stocks is powered by IBN

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.