Ryan’s Words On China Contradict His 2010 Vote

By with comments August 16, 2012 15:56

Submitted by Cheston Catalano

Congressman Ryan didn’t want to crack down on China when he had the chance, but now he talks tough.

“They steal our intellectual property rights. They block access to their markets. They manipulate their currency.”

He continued, “President Obama promised he would stop these practices. He said he’d go to the mat with China. Instead, they’re treating him like a doormat. We’re not going to let that happen. Mitt Romney and I are going to crackdown on China cheating. We’re going to make sure that trade works for Americans.”

Yet there’s one hitch to Ryan’s tough words on China, especially as it relates to currency manipulation: The congressman, in 2010, voted against legislation to crack down on China’s currency manipulation.

Indeed, Ryan was one of 74 Republicans who voted against this legislation that easily passed the House that year; the legislation never made it out of the Senate.