Trump Visits China: Chinese companies creating jobs in US heartland

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Donald Trump has frequently accused China of stealing US jobs. But as it happens, many Chinese companies are actually creating jobs across the US -- and often in states that voted for Trump. So, how do those companies navigate the rhetoric? Owen Fairclough reports from Tennessee.

American Wonder Porcelain is the first Chinese owned ceramics factory in the US turning out 10 thousand square meters of tiles every day.

The company brings raw materials from North Carolina to make tiles that are painted by this digital printer before they're fired in a 200 metre long Italian kiln.

OWEN FAIRCLOUGH LEBANON, TENNESSEE Just look at the size of this place. It's equivalent to around ten football fields and if it seems a little empty that's because the technology here means they can make tiles with around ten times less staff than they'd need in China. It also helps if you bring a bike to work.

Labour costs for this sector are lower in China. But manufacturing in its US market instead of exporting products as heavy as tiles from home provides huge savings and created 150 jobs - with recruitment underway for 70 more. And yet Charles admits it hurts to hear President Donald Trump accuse his native China of stealing jobs.

CHARLES HUANG, CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER AMERICAN WONDER PORCELAIN "We're not stealing. I mean, it's globalization. I can see other countries - their labour costs and everything are going up. So I think it's a very good time for the USA to bring jobs back.”

Local employees caught in this debate over protectionism versus open trade don't seem to mind. Joe Dillard used to work for Japanese owned Nissan.

JOE DILLARD, KILN OPERATOR AMERICAN WONDER PORCELAIN "They brought it here for us to give us a job. We have the American flag on our tiles. I'm proud to run this. We're all paying our bills, we hope, you know?”

This isn't the only Chinese owned manufacturer in Tennessee, a 30 minute drive away Sinomax recently set up its first US factory to turn out foam products such as mattress toppers and pillows. "My wife likes a comfortable pillow." Chief Executive Frank Chen also tries to tune out the politics as he aims to add another 150 staff to the 200 already hired.

FRANK CHEN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SINOMAX "We're coming here to create jobs. We're not stealing jobs. Look at the employees - they're all Americans.”

A sentiment shared on the shop floor where electronics giant Whirlpool once stored goods before moving to Mexico - another flashpoint in the protectionism debate.

DERON ARNOLD, MATERIAL HANDLER SINOMAX "China actually employs people in Tennessee so that means they employ America.”

Back at American Wonder Porcelain, an expansion is underway - this railway will help company transport materials and products coast to coast. And if China - US trade relations can be fiery, this company prefers to focus its heat on trading opportunities. OFA, CGTN, Tennessee.