Romney's Stance on China

Mitt Romney’s stance on the economics of bilateral trade between the United States and China is one of the key platforms that defines his republican presidential candidacy. Romney believes that the US should balance its desire to pursue an economically fruitful relationship with China with the need to hold China accountable for its actions whether it be currency manipulation, unwarranted military aggression, or the restriction of human rights for Chinese citizens.

Romney’s campaign website details a policy of economic cooperation with China. Romney states that his administration would do its best to engage China. “Offering Beijing the possibility of participation will give China significant incentives to end its abusive commercial practices. The zone will also knit together the entire region, discourage imbalanced bilateral trade relations between China and its neighbors, limit China’s ability to coerce its neighbors, and ultimately will encourage China to participate in free trade on fair terms.” Romney’s positive outlook on relations with China is tempered by his comments in the presidential debates ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM8_tKl22WM) which suggest that Romney will take a harsher tone with China then his predecessors. Romney states that he will immediately go after China for its currency manipulation, a position that may bring more direct confrontation between the two world powers that could eventually lead to a “trade war”.

Romney’s campaign site also details his position on how the Chinese Government deals with its own people, “Defend human rights. Any serious policy must confront the fact that China’s Communist regime continues to deny its people basic political freedoms and human rights. A nation that represses its own people cannot be a trusted partner in an international system based on economic and political freedom. A Romney administration will encourage the evolution of China toward a more politically open and democratic order. It will support and engage civil society groups within China that are promoting democratic reform, anti-corruption efforts, religious freedom, and women’s and minority rights. It will look to provide these groups and the Chinese people with greater access to information and communication through a stronger Internet freedom initiative.” In taking this position, Romney finds common ground with many ethnic and religious minorities in the United States that share interests in the survival of their companion minority groups abroad. An example of some of these groups would be the Mislim Uyghurs of South Eastern China or the Falun Gong which exist in nearly 70 countries worldwide (Religion and Politics in America pg 147).

To learn more about Romney's position on China go to http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2011/10/fact-sheet-mitt-romneys-strategy-ensure-american-century