WASHINGTON, July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When President Obama stood up for American workers and held China accountable for unfair trade practices that were hurting American tire producers, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in his book No Apology, called his decision to take action "bad for the nation."  Given Romney's video today and remarks in Ohio attacking the President's approach to China, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

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"When President Obama stood up to China on behalf of American workers and businesses, Mitt Romney called it 'bad for the nation.'  Would he have had President Obama stand down while Chinese producers engaged in unfair trade practices, undermined American companies, and ate away at American jobs?  President Obama knows that good trade policy means more than signing trade agreements – it means enforcing those trade agreements, which is exactly what he did in this case.  It's clear that President Obama is committed to leveling the playing field for American businesses and workers, but it seems like Mitt Romney is interested in preserving a tilted playing field – one tilted in favor of China."

Romney: Obama's Chinese Tire Tariffs Are "Bad For The Nation And Our Workers." "President Obama's action to defend American tire companies from foreign competition may make good politics by repaying unions for their support of his campaign, but it is decidedly bad for the nation and our workers. Protectionism stifles productivity." [Romney, No Apology (Case for American Greatness), Page 119]

The Obama Administration Imposed "Stiff Tariffs" On Chinese-Made Tires In Order To Protect American Industry After Learning A Surge In Chinese Imports Had "Disrupted The U.S. Domestic Market." "The Obama administration will impose stiff tariffs on imports of Chinese-made tires after finding that a surge of imports has disrupted the U.S. domestic market. President Barack Obama signed an order on Friday to impose the special punitive tariffs for three years, the White House announced. The action is the first major trade enforcement action of his presidency and comes less than two weeks before a high-profile summit of the leaders of the Group of 20 nations, including China. It is the first time the U.S. government has imposed special 'safeguard' provisions to protect a U.S. industry from Chinese competition." [Wall Street Journal, 9/11/09]

SOURCE Democratic National Committee

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