Ohio Musical Instrument Plant Closes Despite Trump Pledge

Billionaire investor John Paulson, a Trump ally, shutters factory and moves jobs to China.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:33pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a shiny brass musical instrument, a small American flag, and a crumpled 'Made in China' label, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to symbolize the global trade forces impacting American manufacturing.A once-thriving Ohio musical instrument factory becomes the latest casualty of offshoring and the unfulfilled promises of economic nationalism.Eastlake Today

A brass-instrument factory in Eastlake, Ohio is closing after nearly 18 years, with its 62-year-old worker Keith Czika losing his job as the plant's owner, billionaire investor John Paulson, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, decides to move production to China.

Why it matters

The closure contradicts Trump's promises to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and marks another setback for the Rust Belt region, which had hoped for an economic revival under the former president's 'America First' policies.

The details

The Eastlake factory, which produced brass instruments, is shutting down after nearly two decades, with its production being moved to China by owner John Paulson, a billionaire investor and Trump ally. This decision has left longtime employee Keith Czika, 62, without a job, despite Trump's pledges to revive American manufacturing.

  • The Eastlake factory has been in operation for nearly 18 years.
  • The factory is closing and moving production to China in 2026.

The players

Keith Czika

A 62-year-old worker who had been employed at the Eastlake factory for nearly 18 years.

John Paulson

A billionaire investor and close ally of former President Donald Trump, who owns the Eastlake factory and has decided to move its production to China.

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What they’re saying

“Why Paulson would make the decision to go to China is beyond me at this point. China, for one, is an economic enemy of the United States,”

— Keith Czika, Eastlake factory worker

The takeaway

The closure of the Eastlake factory despite Trump's promises to revive American manufacturing highlights the challenges facing the Rust Belt region, as companies continue to outsource jobs overseas despite political rhetoric.