Trump, Clinton Spar over Chinese Steel During Final Presidential Debate
Political party candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton during the final presidential debate (here) Oct. 19 each argued that he or she would better address product dumping in the U.S. by Chinese exporters. Clinton said “one of the biggest problems we have” is China’s illegal dumping of steel and aluminum into U.S. markets, and accused Trump of buying those products from China for construction projects, including the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. “He goes around with crocodile tears about how terrible it is, but he has given jobs to Chinese steelworkers, not American steelworkers,” she said. Trump countered by saying that when Clinton was in previous public service positions, she should have changed the laws to make it illegal for developers, including Trump, to use Chinese steel in building projects. “For thirty years, you’ve been in a position to help,” Trump said. “And if you say I've used steel or I used something else, make it impossible for me to do that. I wouldn’t mind. The problem is you talk, but you don't get anything done, Hillary. You don't.” Clinton said she fought against dumping as a senator and as secretary of State.
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Trump said the same products made by the U.S. are “pouring in” from China, Vietnam and “all over the world,” and repeated earlier criticisms of Clinton for her husband’s support of NAFTA when he was president, and for her initial support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Clinton defended herself, saying the final version of the agreement didn’t meet her test for creating jobs, raising incomes and advancing U.S. national security, and reiterated that she will be against the TPP after the upcoming election. She also said Trump has “shipped jobs to twelve countries, including Mexico.” Further, Clinton repeated an earlier pledge to create the first chief trade prosecutor position in U.S. history (see 1608120020).