Paul Ryan on China

Summary

Congressman Ryan has not been vocal on China. While he has been in office, there have been a number of votes relating to China and three of those have been significant. In 2000, the House voted to confer most favored nation status on China and Congressman Ryan voted in favor of that action. The following year, the House voted on a resolution to disapprove of normal trade relations with China and Congressman Ryan again voted in favor of granting normal trade relations with China. IN 2010, Congressman Ryan also voted against the Currency Reform and Fair Trade Act.

In August of 2012 Congressman Ryan took a harsh stance toward China and claimed that they were stealing our intellectual property, blocking our access to their markets, and manipulating their currency.

Discussions on Leaving the WTO

In June of 2005, Congressman Ryan spoke on the House floor about a resolution to remove the US from the World Trade Organization. He spoke in opposition to this bill and pointed to China as a reason. He noted that although China has not abided by the rules of the WTO, they at least had to change their laws to come into complaince with the WTO rules, and at least the WTO gives us a forum to address those concerns.

Trade that Works for Us

On August 16, 2012 Congressman Ryan was speaking in Boston as part of the Presidential campaign. In that speech, he asserted that the US needed trade that worked for us and that President Obama needed to be harsher towards China.

PAUL RYAN: “We also need trade that works for us. We come from manufacturing states. We make things. We grow things. The more goods we manufacture, the more food we grow and sell them overseas, the more good jobs we have here at home. Free trade is a powerful tool for peace and prosperity. But our trading partners need to play by the rules. And this challenge focuses on China. They steal our intellectual property right. They block access to their markets. They manipulate their currency. 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 crack down on China cheating and we’re going to make sure that trade works for Americans. Make things here. Sell them there. Grow things here. Sell them around the world. That creates jobs.”

Voting Record

Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act

In September of 2010 the House voted on the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act to address the Chinese manipulation of currency. The bill passed the house 348-79. Paul Ryan voted against the Currency Manipulation for fair Trade Act.

China - Human Rights Abuses

In July of 2008, the House voted on a resolution calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to immediately end abuses of the human rights of its citizens, to cease repression of Tibetan and Uighur citizens, and to end its support for the Government of Sudan and Burma to ensure that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games take place in an atmosphere of freedom. The amendment passed 419-1. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution.

Resolution - China and Tibet

In April of 2008, the House voted on a resolution calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to end its crackdown in Tibet and to enter into a substantive dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and fundamental freedom of all Tibetans. The amendment passed 413-1. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution on China and Tibet.

Resolution - Financial Services

Calling on the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to remove barriers to United States financial services firms doing business in China. The resolution passed 401-4. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution to remove barriers to financial services.

Resolution - Forced Labor Prisons

Calling on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the Peoples Republic of China, as a tool for suppression maintained by the Chinese Government. The resolution passed 413-1. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution on forced labor prisons.

Resolution - EU and Chinese Embargo

In February of 2005, the House voted on a resolution expressing the strong concern of the House of Representatives that the European Union may end its embargo against the Peoples Republic of China. The resolution passed 411-3. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution.

Resolution - Intellectual Property

In July of 2004, the House voted on a resolution urging the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to improve its protection of intellectual property rights, and for other purposes. The resolution passed 416-3. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution on intellectual property.

Resolution - Trade Agreements

To encourage the Peoples Republic of China to fulfill its commitments under international trade agreements, support the United States manufacturing sector, and establish monetary and financial market reforms. The resolution passed 411-1. Paul Ryan voted in favor of the resolution on trade agreements.

Disapproving Normal Trade Relations for China

In July of 2001, the House voted on a resolution disapproving of establishing normal trade relations with China. The measure failed 269-259. Paul Ryan voted against the resolution to disapprove of normal trade relations with China.

To Authorize Extension of Nondiscriminatory Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Peoples Republic of China

In May of 2000, the House voted on extending normal trade relations with China. The measure passed 237-197. Paul Ryan voted in favor of granting most favored nation status.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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