“That career politician named Joe Biden gave China a sweet trade deal and destroyed more good middle-class American manufacturing jobs.”
02:10
US presidential election: Trump’s running mate JD Vance slams ‘fake’ Joe Biden
US presidential election: Trump’s running mate JD Vance slams ‘fake’ Joe Biden
Vance described Ohio as a place “forgotten by America’s ruling class in Washington” and blamed establishment politicians for allowing unemployment and drugs to become rampant in Ohio and beyond.
“Our country was flooded with cheap Chinese products, cheap foreign labor and then deadly fentanyl from China for decades,” he said.
Washington frequently accuses China of helping produce the chemicals used to make fentanyl, even as the two countries have stepped up counter-drug cooperation in recent months.
Governor Vance on Wednesday promised to stimulate domestic manufacturing by building more factories.
“It’s time to stop sacrificing supply chains for unrestricted global trade,” he said, adding, “It’s time to stop the Chinese Communist Party from building a middle class at the expense of the American people.”
Vance was introduced on stage by his wife, Usha Vance, who also spoke about his working-class background: “It’s hard to imagine a more powerful example of the American Dream,” she said.
The vice president’s role in policymaking varies from administration to administration, and it’s unclear what Vance will do in a second Trump administration. But Saturday’s assassination attempt on the former president underscores the importance of the vice president’s role.
Onstage, Vance spoke of Trump’s bravery: “Even in his most dangerous moments, we were in his hearts,” he said, referring to Trump pumping his fist after being shot.
The 39-year-old is seen as largely in agreement with Trump on foreign policy issues, including tariffs on Taiwan and mainland China.
If the Republican candidate wins in November, Vance will be the most politically inexperienced person to become president in modern times.
His memoir of growing up in a broken home in the Rust Belt, Hillbilly Elegybecame a bestseller in 2016 and catapulted his career as a political commentator. For example, he was an opponent of Trump in 2016 but has since become a strong supporter.
In 2022, Vance defeated Democratic candidate Tim Ryan for the Ohio Senate seat and took office in January 2023.
Regarding Taiwan, Vance said last year that the United States needed to reduce its reliance on Taiwan-made semiconductors while developing more weapons domestically to support Taiwan in the event of a conflict with Beijing.
Trump has not been clear about supporting Taiwan in a conflict, saying “Taiwan should pay for its own defense” when asked directly by Bloomberg in June.
Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of China and believes it should eventually be reunified with mainland China, by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognize the self-governing island as an independent nation, but the United States opposes any forcible change to the status quo and is obligated by law to provide Taiwan with weapons for its defense.
Vance, an advocate of “America First,” told Fox News on Monday that his foreign policy is “Trumpist,” summarizing it as “not sending U.S. troops unless absolutely necessary, but when we do, we pack a punch.”
As a senator, Vance voted against increasing aid to Ukraine and has supported Trump’s argument that if elected he could bring an early end to the war. Like Trump, Vance has said NATO allies need to take a more active role in their own defense.
The Republican party platform, formally adopted on Monday, the first day of the convention, includes a pledge to “ensure strategic independence from China,” in line with Vance’s pledge on Wednesday night.
“Republicans will strip China of most-favored-nation status, phase out imports of essential goods, and block Chinese purchases of U.S. real estate and industry,” the document states.
03:10
Biden or Trump: Whoever wins, we lose
Biden or Trump: Whoever wins, we lose
Currently, Beijing’s preferential trade status grants China non-discriminatory treatment and low tariff standards for many goods.
Vance vowed to never forget his roots: “I promise you, I will be a vice president who never forgets where I came from.”
A debate has yet to be scheduled between Vance and Vice President Kamala Harris, his presumptive Democratic opponent.
