Note: Given the 21st century reality that the China-United States relations constitute the most important bilateral relationship on Earth, the China Institute is continuing its brief selection of quotes from U.S. presidential candidates on the topic of China.
The China Institute is a non-partisan institution, but we do pay close attention to any issues that have a clear relationship to China's international relations.
While these quotes are necessarily taken somewhat out of context because of space limitations, the sources provided will give greater context. To refer to the original source of the quote, please click on the date.
Donald Trump on China: a Timeline (July-September)
"We are going to enforce all trade violations against any country that cheats. This includes stopping China's outrageous theft of intellectual property, along with their illegal product dumping, and their devastating currency manipulation. They are the greatest that ever came about, they are the greatest currency manipulators ever. Our horrible trade agreements with China and many others will be totally renegotiated."- Donald Trump, July 21, 2016
"It could be China [behind the email hacks]. It could be someone sitting in his bedroom. It's probably not Russia. Nobody knows if it's Russia… And they don't even know, frankly, if it's Russia, if it's China, if it's someone else. Who knows who it is?"
- Donald Trump, July 28, 2016
"You know why? Because of oil. Because China needs oil. We were driving both crazy. They formed and from the time I was a young guy, I've always learned, don't ever let China and Russia get together, we forced them together… Obama forced them together. Because you didn't get along with either and they did eventually, China came in and said, "let's make a deal on oil." They're together… You look at China, they're building one of the largest military installations in the world right smack in the middle of the South China Sea."
- Donald Trump, August 1, 2016
"But we've also seen the terrible Obama-Clinton judgment right here in Detroit. Hillary Clinton has supported the trade deals stripping this city, and this country, of its jobs and wealth. She supported Bill Clinton's NAFTA, she supported China's entrance into the World Trade Organization, she supported the job-killing trade deal with South Korea, and she supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Let's talk about South Korea for a moment, because it so perfectly illustrates the broken promises that have hurt so many American workers."
"China is responsible for nearly half of our entire trade deficit. They break the rules in every way imaginable. China engages in illegal export subsidies, prohibited currency manipulation, and rampant theft of intellectual property. They also have no real environmental or labor protections, further undercutting American workers. Just enforcing intellectual property rules alone could save millions of American jobs. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, improved protection of America's intellectual property in China would produce more than 2 million more jobs right here in the United States."
- Donald Trump, August 8, 2016
"They're tired of losing their jobs, they're tired of seeing their companies being ripped out and going to other places. They're tired of China coming in and dropping steel all over the place to put your companies out of business, so we have to go to China to get our steel, which is happening very quickly… I don't want a president who short-circuits. Is that OK? I don't want it. I don't want a president who short-circuits. We've got to deal with ISIS. We've got to deal with China. We've got to deal with lots of people. They're not short-circuiting. But I don't want somebody that short-circuits."
- Donald Trump, August 13, 2016
"Bill Clinton also put China into the World Trade Organization - another Hillary Clinton-backed deal. Your city of Charlotte has lost 1 in 4 manufacturing jobs since China joined the WTO, and many of these jobs were lost while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State - our chief diplomat with China. She was a disaster, totally unfit for the job. Hillary Clinton owes the State of North Carolina a very big apology, and I think you'll get that apology around the same time you'll get to see her 33,000 deleted emails."
"We have enough problems already, we don't need another one. On crime, we are going to add more police, more investigators, and appoint the best judges and prosecutors in the world. We will pursue strong enforcement of federal laws. The gangs and cartels and criminal syndicates terrorizing our people will be stripped apart one by one. Their day is over. On trade, we are going to renegotiate NAFTA, withdraw from the TPP, stand up to China on our terrible trade agreement, and protect every last American job."
- Donald Trump, August 18, 2016
"One thing we know for sure is that if you keep voting for the same people you will keep getting the same result. My Administration will go to work for you as no one ever has. By contrast, the one thing every item in Hillary Clinton's agenda has in common is that it takes jobs and opportunities from African-American workers. Her support for open borders. Her fierce opposition to school choice. Her plan to massively raise taxes on small businesses. Her opposition to American energy. And her record of giving our jobs away to other countries."
"In this New American Future, American workers will always come first. This will include a complete revitalization of the Michigan manufacturing sector, which has been so badly hurt by Hillary Clinton's policies. We are bringing the jobs back to Michigan. Michigan lost more than 1 in 4 of its manufacturing jobs since NAFTA. As you know, NAFTA was signed by President Bill Clinton. It was supported by Hillary Clinton. Right here, in this community, you've lost 1 in 7 manufacturing jobs since Bill Clinton put China into the World Trade Organization - another Hillary Clinton-backed deal. Detroit lost more than 1 in 3 manufacturing jobs following the NAFTA and WTO agreements supported by my opponent."
"Just imagine how many more automobile jobs will be lost if Hillary gets her wish and approves the TPP. That is why I have announced we will withdraw from the deal before that can ever happen. I have previously laid out a detailed 7-point plan for trade reform, available on my website. It includes strong protections against currency manipulation from counties like China, and tariffs against any nation that cheats by unfairly subsidizing their goods. My plan also includes a renegotiation of NAFTA. If we don't get a better deal, we will walk away."
- Donald Trump, August 19, 2016
"The good news is, if we win on November 8th, these jobs are coming back. Here are 7 steps to bring back our jobs, and creating millions of new jobs: One: I am going to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has not yet been ratified. Two: I am going to appoint the toughest and smartest trade negotiators to fight on behalf of American workers. Three: I am going to direct the Secretary of Commerce to identify every violation of trade agreements that a foreign country is currently using to harm our workers. I will then direct all appropriate agencies to use every tool under American and international law to end these abuses."
"China's unfair subsidy and its behavior is prohibited by the terms of its entrance into the WTO, and I intend to enforce our rules. That's all. Very simple. And they know it's coming. They've called a lot of friends of mine. They know it's coming. They say, 'What do we do? What do we do?'"
- Donald Trump, August 24, 2016
"Boeing's building massive facilities in China, and then they'll drop their currency and they'll start devaluation as they always do, and then they'll start taking your business away."
- Donald Trump, August 29, 2016
"Number two, having a secure border is a sovereign right and mutually beneficial. We recognize and respect the right of either country to build a physical barrier or wall on any of its borders to stop the illegal movement of people, drugs and weapons. Cooperation toward achieving the shared objective, and it will be shared of safety for all citizens is paramount, to both the United States and to Mexico. Number three, dismantling drug cartels and ending the movement of illegal drugs, weapons, and funds across our border. This can only be done with cooperation, intelligence and intelligence sharing and joint operations between our two countries. It's the only way it's going to happen. Improving NAFTA, number four. NAFTA is a 22 year old agreement that must be updated to reflect the realities of today.
"There are many improvements that could be made that would make both Mexico and the United States stronger and keep industry in our hemisphere. We have tremendous competition from China and from all over the world. Keep it in our hemisphere. Workers in both of our countries need a pay raise, very desperately. In the United States, it's been 18 years, 18 years wages are going down. Improving pay standards and working conditions will create better results for all and all workers in particular. There's a lot of value that can be created for both countries by working beautifully together. And that I am sure will happen."
- Donald Trump, August 31, 2016
"And what I'd do very simply is say China, [North Korea] is your baby. This is your problem. You solve the problem, because China can solve that problem… It's a big problem. China has virtually total control over North Korea, but they say they don't because they want to tweak us. Look at our president - they won't even give him stairs to come out of Air Force One."
- Donald Trump, September 6, 2016
Hillary Clinton on China: a Timeline (July-September)
"The U.S. has a deep and abiding interest in the South China Sea and to the free flow of commerce - so critical to our economy - that flows through it. It is important that all claimants abide by this ruling and continue to pursue peaceful, multilateral means to resolve disputes among them."- Hillary Clinton, July 12, 2016
"And he offered zero solutions… And you know that sales pitch he's making to be president? Put your faith in him - and you'll win big? That's the same sales pitch he made to all those small businesses. Then Trump walked away, and left working people holding the bag. Please explain to me what part of America First leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin. Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again. Well, he could start by actually making things in America again.
"Now, the choice we face in this election is just as stark when it comes to our national security. You know, anyone, anyone reading the news can see the threats and turbulence we face. From Baghdad to Kabul, to Nice and Paris and Brussels, from San Bernardino to Orlando, we're dealing with determined enemies that must be defeated. So, it's no wonder that people are anxious and looking for reassurance. Looking for steady leadership, wanting a leader who understands we are stronger when we work with our allies around the world and care for our veterans here at home. Keeping our nation safe and honoring the people who do that work will be my highest priority."
- Hillary Clinton, July 28, 2016
"I really would like [Mr Trump] to explain why he paid Chinese workers to make Trump ties... instead of deciding to make those ties right here in Colorado with a company like Knotty... As I've said over this past week in many different settings, in factories across Pennsylvania and Ohio, and I mean this, because if he wants to make America great again, he should start making things in America… So, why does Donald Trump make his ties in China?"
- Hillary Clinton, August 3, 2016
"If you add up all of Trump's ideas - from cutting taxes for the wealthy and corporations to starting a trade war with China to deporting millions of hard-working immigrants - the result would be a loss of 3.4 million jobs… We are living off the investments that were made by our parents and grandparents' generations. We will also help cities like Detroit and Flint connect underserved neighborhoods to opportunity, expanding affordable housing, and repair schools and failing water systems as well."
"Some country is going to be the clean energy superpower of the 21st century and create millions of jobs and businesses. It's probably going to be either China, Germany, or America. I want it to be us! We invent the technology, we should make it and use it and export it, which will help to grow our economy… We will also liberate millions of people who already have student debt by making it easier to refinance and repay what you owe as a portion of your income so you never have to pay more than you can afford.
"It's not right that Donald Trump can ignore his debts, but students and families can't refinance theirs. And here's something neither party talks about enough: a four-year degree shouldn't be the only path to a good job. You should be able to learn a skill, practice a trade, and make a good living doing it. So many Americans have the talent and the will to succeed - whether they're kids right out of high school or older people displaced by automation and outsourcing."
"It's also true that China and other countries have gamed the system for too long. Enforcement - especially during the Bush administration - has been too lax. Investments at home that would make us more competitive have been blocked. And American workers and communities have paid the price. But the answer is not to rant and rave - or to cut ourselves off from the world. That would kill even more jobs. The answer is to finally make trade work for us, not against us.
"So my message to every worker in Michigan and across America is this: I will stop any trade deal that kills jobs or holds down wages - including the Trans-Pacific Partnership. I oppose it now, I'll oppose it after the election, and I'll oppose it as president. As a Senator, I fought to defend New York's manufacturers and steel-makers from unfair Chinese trading practices. And I opposed the only multilateral trade deal that came before the Senate while I was there, because it didn't meet my high bar."
"Right now, thousands of Michigan companies are exporting billions of dollars of products around the world. We want them to sell even more - and create more jobs here at home. But corporations shouldn't abandon profitable operations here to move abroad, just to give shareholders a quicker return, CEOs a bigger bonus, and unions a weaker hand to play. Now, before he tweets about how he's really one who'll put "America First" in trade, let's remember where Trump makes many of his own products. Because it's sure not America.
- Hillary Clinton, August 11, 2016
"Donald Trump: Make Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, Slovenia Great Again?"
- Hillary Clinton, August 29, 2016
"And if somebody [from the Clinton Foundation] knew somebody who knew somebody who'd never been to China, they might want to come to the lunch [with me]. That doesn't mean that we didn't treat anybody who said something like that respectfully. It doesn't mean that they got it either. So, there's no evidence. And, let's look at the Trump foundation that was just fined by the IRS for its behavior, another area that nobody is paying adequate attention to. The Clinton Foundation has just been judged by an independent watchdog called the Charity Navigator to have the highest score that they give. That's the third such independent watchdog. You have the Trump Foundation so called, being fined by the IRS for taking foundation resources and making a $25,000 contribution to the attorney general of Florida when she was about to investigate Trump University."
- Hillary Clinton, September 5, 2016