Donald Trumphas lashed out at China so many times in his presidential campaign that his attacks have been compiled into an entertaining video. Yet while some Republican White House contenders take pot shots at China, local officials around the US are clamouring for Chinese investment.
“The more ties and relationships we build, hopefully, it’s providing a better platform for a peaceful world,” says Rick Snyder, the Republican governor of Michigan, who argues that Chinese companies going global is good for the US and Europe. “I sound a bit different from some of the other guys, right?”
Mr Snyder has good reason to view China in a more positive light. Michigan is one of many states benefiting from Chinese investment that is sweeping the US. Since 2011, the carmaking state has received $600m in Chinese investment.