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Obama, Romney spar over economic policies in last debate US President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney on Monday clashed over economic policies in their third and final face-to-face presidential debate. Obama and Romney face off in final debate Obama, Romney tied as they head into 3rd debate Obama, Romney preparing for last presidential debate

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Performance, rather than content, to weigh heavily in final US presidential debate
While the theme of Monday's third and final face-off between US President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney is foreign policy, the most important thing for both is scoring points with viewers on presentation. Taking a backseat are the finer points of sticky foreign policy issues that are over the heads of many Americans.

Obama's lead in key battleground Ohio narrows
Both Obama and Romney campaigns have long seen Ohio, one of the 12 swing states, as the crucial battle ground towards the Election Day victory and thus spent considerable time and resources campaigning in the state. Both candidates have remained as regular visitor to the state particularly as the election geared up towards the final showdown in November.

China Bashing

"Currency manipulator"
US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney repeated his pledge to declare China a "currency manipulator" if elected.

"Unfair exchange rates"
Romney asserted that Apple gadgets are made in China because of unfair exchange rates, and he believes that manufacturing jobs will return to America as long as the playing field is level.

Intellectual property right
In the US, Romney has voiced strong policy measures designed to challenge China on economic issues, such as intellectual property rights and currency liquidation.

Voices from China

Hong Lei, a Foreign Ministry spokesman:
"We hope the US Republican and Democratic candidates will get rid of the impact of election politics and do more things conducive to China-US mutual trust and cooperation."

Niu Xinchun, a US studies expert at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations：
"The fact that both candidates are investing in Chinese companies demonstrates that close trade ties between China and the US serve the interests of both countries…Both Obama and Romney want to score political points by attacking China. But I don't think they will really follow through on some of their campaign rhetoric if they are elected."

Xinhua: Second US presidential debate sees candidates flex China muscle
US politicians need to paint a truer picture for their constituents. This picture should embrace China's rise and acknowledge that engaging with China will amplify win-win results, but scapegoating, isolating and vilifying China will hurt both sides. The economic interests of the world's top two economies are far too intertwined for these economic powers to handle a break up.

It is an embarrassing truth that past US presidents have often toned down their tough talk on China after taking office, showing that they know the results of their tough talk going into effect would be disastrous.

Xinhua: Calling China currency manipulator not to help US economy
At present, when Washington is anxiously trying to spur its slack economic growth and slash its stubbornly high unemployment rates, it is perhaps better for these flip-flopping politicians to spend a little more time handling their own problems and a little less time scapegoating China, as their China-blaming tricks would by no means bring to the United States any substantial benefit and might eventually backfire.

More voices from Chinese media
With the second US presidential debate between US President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney kicking off on Tuesday night in New York, the China-bashing tactic both candidates adopted during their debate encountered Chinese media outlets' criticism.

Voices from Abroad

Joshua Gass, a PhD candidate in Ohio State University.:
Romney has a further problem in negotiating the issue of trade with China. However much Romney talks about imposing tariffs on China, about the "level playing field," or about "currency manipulation," and however much he tries to avoid talking about companies taking advantage of cheap labor, it cannot erase the fact that in his previous career as a businessman he made millions of dollars liquidating American companies and sending their work overseas.

Jack Aldane, a British journalist currently living in Beijing:
Most Republicans remain bellicose about "the China threat" to US preeminence. However, even the long-standing "special relationship" between the UK and US has proved vulnerable to Romney's tendency to jam his foot in his mouth.  

For all the nerves jangled in China over US rivalry, it is worth remembering that even closest friends of the US find themselves often undermined and underappreciated at the best of times.

The Washington Post:
Now, Mitt Romney is challenging President Obama by pledging that if elected he will "on day one" label China a currency manipulator, crack down on Chinese "cheating" on everything from intellectual property violations to trade practices.

More than ever, these attacks are counterproductive and distort a robust and ever more entwined China-US economic relationship.

Potential Voters

Key swing vote?
Chinese American voters, the group that was seen as being less likely to swing results in previous elections, have gained more attention from both the Democrats and Republicans, as they might influence the outcome of some swing states.

But analysts say compared to other voter groups, the attitude of Chinese Americans is still more "reserved" in the US election, saying they could have a bigger role to play.

Comments:
Xue Haipei, a Chinese American and president of the National Council of Chinese Americans：
"Foreign policy might not be the deciding factor in the US election, but this could be an exception for Chinese American voters. The strong comments on China Romney repeatedly made during his campaign made his policies very unpopular among Chinese Americans."

Previous Debates

Obama, Romney step up anti-China rhetoric in second debate

Obama outperforms Romney in high-stake 2nd debate

Obama, Romney face off in first presidential debate

Backgrounder

US presidential debates
This year, Obama and Romney hold three debates on October 3, October 16 and October 22, while Vice President Joe Biden and Romney's running mate Paul Ryan face off on October 11.