'A big missing part of the story' — Rust Belt vs. Sun Belt in the battle for U.S. manufacturing jobs

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• Foreign competition's role in the loss of Rust Belt jobs has been overstated in the political debate over U.S. manufacturing, according to Middlebury College professor Gary Winslett, who instead pointed to interstate competition, namely the rise of Southern states as favorable places for companies to put factories.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle have ignored some "uncomfortable truths" as the Rust Belt has hemorrhaged manufacturing jobs over the years, according to Middlebury College professor Gary Winslett.