China tends to like Republicans in the White House because it’s clear what they want: free trade, low taxes and strong national security. Democrats are more capricious and delve into messy issues like human rights and the environment. In the case of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, though, you would be forgiven for thinking officials in Beijing are losing sleep. He favors a more combative posture, including a bigger U.S. naval presence in Asia, stepped-up arms sales to Taiwan and labeling China a currency manipulator. Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, complains that China treats U.S. President Barack Obama “like a doormat.”
looking beyond borders 