Thousands of employees in the U.S. could suffer if Chinese investments here are blocked ,that is the warning from the Chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group.

Nearly 16 billion dollars of Chinese cash was injected into the U.S. last year alone ,and California, in particular, has been a big beneficiary. 

Virgil Chis couldn't be busier. And he's grateful. Because a few years back, things were very different.

"For the first time in my life, I experienced being laid off, going home and telling my wife "this is it."said Virgil Chis,technical foreman of Karma Automotive.

The electric car maker he worked at in Southern California shut down and he was out of a job.

"When it closed, it was depressing."said Virgil Chis.

Until a Chinese investor bought it, rebranded it, and gave it that new jolt of power.

"When the company reopened, I was called back and I said yes. I want to be part of this. It gave me a chance to come back and finish what we started."said Virgil Chis.

Karma is an all-American company saved by Chinese cash - literally bringing people into work, says the boss.

"Arguably, there's 700 - close to 800 people - working here now who might not have, had this particular Chinese businessman not decided to invest in the auto space in the U.S. but also the electrical vehicle space."said Jim Tayor,chief Revenue officer of Kaema Automotive.

Of course, the other side of this argument.

"We're not making anything anymore. Our product is pouring in from China."said Trump.

But that 'pouring in' as the now President-Elect puts it, and indeed, pouring out which is stuff going the other way, is having a major beneficial impact here in California starting over there..

LA's port has never been busier. This is the country's largest port and more than half of those containers come from China. Six out of ten arriving here, left from there..

And last year, more then 32,000 staff were involved in processing and transporting them sweeping people in work, people who then pay taxes and keep that economic circle spinning.

"China is the number one customer of the port. And this has been true for a couple of decades.They've become our number one trading partner and really their growth has helped us become the port we are today."said Jim Maclellan,Dir. of Trade Development ,port of LA.

The fact is that Chinese cash is pouring into the U.S. And California, in particular, is benefiting, the city's skylines, shopping malls, massive homes, the movie industry all targets.

In fact, last year, Chinese investors injected a record $15.7 billion into U.S. companies.And California got 21% of that. That's more than a fifth - to just ONE state.China's trade with LA alone, nearly 27% of the total trade with the U.S.

"There are advantages of course that support the relationship between China and the U.S. Also, there are other groups, the anti-globalists that are always arguing about globalization. There are always trade offs. If we continue supporting the relationship between China and the U.S., there will be trade offs. If we do not support it, there will be less wealth."said Silvia Martin,asst. professor of Calstate La.

For the workers, like Virgil, that Chinese cash the wealth has been a godsend..

"It's given me the opportunity to support my family and kids and live a comfortable life and give me the opportunity to do what I love best and make money, make a living."said Virgil Chis.

And while not all in the U.S. will agree, there are plenty in California, at least, who will.