WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Clinton has rejected the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), viewed by experts as a check on Chinese economic influence in the Asia Pacific. Clinton’s campaign has also rejected calls from her Republican opponent, Trump, to impose protective tariffs on US imports of Chinese goods.
"Yes, she [Clinton] is going to be very tough on China and ratchet-up our trade enforcement," Clinton campaign advisor and former National Economic Council Chairman Gene Sperling said.
Trump’s economics advisor, Stephen Moore, argued that "China is a case where we really do have to get tougher," arguing that a President Donald Trump would negotiate more favorable trade agreements for the United States.
China currently ranks as the United States’ second largest trading partner. The multilateral TPP trade agreement has been characterized by the Obama administration as a way to impose US trade and labor standards in the Asia Pacific, where China maintains strong economic influence.