GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is redoubling his assault this week on President Obama’s China policies, with a new TV ad out Monday that blames Obama’s failure to “stand up” to China for the loss of two million American jobs.
Without explicitly mentioning Romney’s allegation that China is manipulating its currency, the ad, entitled “Stand Up to China,” jabs Obama for failing to “taken action” on seven different occasions. A Romney press release refers to the refusal of the U.S. Treasury Department to label China as a currency manipulator seven times since Obama took office.
The ad cites a U.S. International Trade Commission study from 2011 to tie the loss of 2.1 million American jobs to Chinese theft of intellectual property. A Romney press release says the study found that proper protection of intellectual property in China could create more than two million new jobs at home.
“Fewer Americans are working today than when Obama took office,” a voiceover says in the ad. “It doesn't have to be this way, if Obama would stand up to China.”
The ad also accuses China of stealing U.S. ideas and technology, “Everything from computers to fighter jets.”
Romney has leveled these accusations at China before, charging Chinese officials with “cheating” in remarks earlier this month. Chinese officials pushed back in a widely-read editorial from the official New China news agency, calling the comments “as false as they are foolish” and threatening a trade war if Romney’s policies are adopted.
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Sign up for National Journal’s AM & PM Must Reads. News and analysis to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Leave A Comment