Many US cities unnerved by protectionist stance

Chattanooga, Tennessee

AT THE airport here, there is a reminder to travellers of the jobs that global trade can bring. A shiny 2017 Volkswagen Passat is stationed near the entryway and labelled: "Designed in Germany. Built in Chattanooga."

The American map is dotted with towns drained of jobs after homegrown factories bolted to lower-wage countries. But for many spots throughout the country, the same strategy of moving operations overseas - when practised by foreign companies - has buoyed local fortunes.