Trump tariff plan pushed US company to open new manufacturing plant in Indiana, lawmaker cheers

An Indiana lawmaker is celebrating an American bicycle company opening a new manufacturing plant in her district after President Donald Trump launched his aggressive tariff campaign against China. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital that Guardian Bikes is starting with a new $19 million investment in Seymour, Indiana to expand their operations there – which she said will create new local jobs.

Houchin expressed her excitement about the job opportunities that will be available in southern Indiana due to the investment by Guardian Bikes. She emphasized that the money staying in the local community is a positive outcome, especially in contrast to sending it abroad to China.

The Indiana Republican, now in her second term, shared that she first visited Guardian Bikes shortly after being elected to Congress. At that time, the company had just 16 employees and expressed their desire to become a 100% made in the USA bicycle factory. Houchin noted that currently, over 97% of bicycles are made outside of the United States, with many of the components sourced from China.

Guardian Bikes had been relying on Chinese imports for 70% of its production, but after Trump’s election in November 2024, they began working towards becoming completely made in the USA. The recent announcement of a $19 million financing deal with JPMorgan Chase to launch the first large-scale bicycle frame manufacturing operation in the United States is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Houchin credited President Trump’s trade policies for enabling Guardian Bikes to make this investment and shift towards domestic manufacturing. She praised the president for focusing on creating a level playing field for American companies, which has allowed companies like Guardian Bikes to thrive.

The company is planning to increase its mass-market bicycles manufactured in the U.S. from 100,000 to over 1 million, a development that Houchin described as \”very, very exciting.\” Guardian Bikes also has locations in California and Pennsylvania, with two more expected in Texas and Georgia this year.

Guardian Bikes CEO Brian Riley expressed his belief in the future of manufacturing being local, fast, and data-driven. He emphasized the importance of bringing production to the U.S. and building a new model for American manufacturing. The company’s goal is to rapidly move towards being entirely made within the United States.

Critics of Trump’s tariff plans have accused him of disrupting the global economy, but supporters have lauded the strategy as a powerful negotiating tool and a way to bring jobs back to the U.S. Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports and additional reciprocal tariffs have been part of his efforts to address the country’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, White House spokesman Kush Desai highlighted the trillions in historic investment commitments from industry leaders since Election Day, including Guardian Bikes. He reiterated President Trump’s message that making products in America eliminates concerns about tariffs.

Overall, the move by Guardian Bikes to expand their manufacturing operations in the U.S. is seen as a positive development for the American economy and manufacturing sector. With a renewed focus on domestic production, companies like Guardian Bikes are leading the way in reshaping the manufacturing landscape in the United States.