Vice President JD Vance has a message for American businesses: if you're building in the U.S., hiring U.S. workers, and investing in local communities, the Trump administration is on your side.

During a Monday visit to Compotech, a defense technology manufacturer in Brewer, Maine, Vance touted the administration's economic and manufacturing agenda. In a post on X, he wrote, "We want companies that buy American, that hire American, and then invest in American communities."

Vance said Compotech represents exactly the kind of business the administration wants to back. "This is exactly what I love to see in states like Maine," he said, adding, "This is exactly what we want to support in the Trump administration."

He also took a swipe at Democrats, saying, "The Democrats have this idea that business is bad and everybody else is good." Vance countered, "Our attitude is much more subtle, but it's much more real and true." He concluded, "We are on your side because you are on the side of American workers and American patriots."

Vance's remarks come as the latest economic data shows U.S. business activity growing at its fastest pace in over four years. S&P Global's flash composite output index rose to 56.0 in August, up from 54.5 in July. Services activity and hiring strengthened, while business confidence improved and inflation pressures eased. Manufacturing growth, however, slowed amid fading inventory buildup and renewed supply-chain disruptions tied to shipping delays, tariffs, and thin inventories. The combination of stronger growth and cooling inflation is seen as favorable for equity investors.

But not all news is rosy. A potential U.S. ban on Chinese open-weight AI models could cost American businesses between $3 billion and $12 billion and weaken AI demand, potentially threatening debt-funded data center investments. Meanwhile, 372 large U.S. companies filed for bankruptcy in the first half of 2026, the highest first-half total since 2010. Higher borrowing costs, rising expenses, and geopolitical uncertainty are putting additional pressure on businesses.

So while Vance's message is one of support, the broader economic landscape remains a mixed bag. For businesses that are indeed buying American and hiring American, the administration's backing might be a welcome boost—but they'll still have to navigate a world of tariffs, supply chain hiccups, and AI-related uncertainties.