Wherever and whenever there is a local supply shortage, you make good with imports. If imports are more expensive then local products, their days become numbered. If they are cheaper, then that puts pressure on the local suppliers to cut their prices. That had always been the case and will probably always be so. Witness the car manufacturing industry, motocycle manufacturing and the rag trade. There are exceptions and reversals. Take for example Indian phone farms. Some of their business is moving back to Britain - because of costs!
Other reasons for 'kicking out the gringos' are cultural, some are organisational and others just purely racially motivated. This is particular story is probably about cost and organisational issues. But dealing with expats is a pain in the arse. I know 'cos I was one once. I'd like to think that I was an ambassador for my country but three of my colleagues (not all Brits) were complete and utter (expensive) pains!