I work for GM. I know about free trade policies. I agree with you. I am irritated with the Southern Senators (Corker ET AL) for handing out millions to foreign auto transplants and pretending they have principle or something when opposing the auto loan (bought and paid for by Toyota and others), but I have a Southern wife and have always loved the South-used to live in GA.
The Southern politicians are in a tough spot. They have to deliver jobs. So they go hat in hand to the Japanese, to the Federal gubmint, to anyone who has a couple bucks to spend.
Meanwhile, many of these areas are suffering from serious depopulation problems. The young people are leaving for better opportunities. There are areas in the midwest where they will give you a house if you promise to live in it. I suppose they’ll give you land and a parade if you build a factory there.