"They were replaced by automation" is a vile anti-worker canard. The manufacturing jobs went to humans in China, not robots.
As with most things, I'm fairly sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle and it varies industry to industry. Yea, a lot of stuff went to china, but a lot of workers were also replaced by automated systems. In a lot of cases, I'd even venture to say maybe a majority, it was both. It's not even close to factually true to say it's JUST china or JUST robots.
Also, do you mind elaborating on how that's specifically anti-worker? Either case can be construed as such depending on your position.