DeSantis And Haley Spar Over China

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sparred over China at the third Republican presidential debate Wednesday.

Republican presidential debate live updates: DeSantis jabs at Haley on China, accuses her of writing 'the Chinese ambassador a love letter' https://t.co/Unz10Tkbaf pic.twitter.com/fw3BlY2M2b

— New York Post (@nypost) November 9, 2023

DeSantis pointed out Haley’s relationship with China during her tenure as governor of South Carolina, accusing her of writing “the Chinese ambassador a love letter.”

Nikki Haley welcomed them into South Carolina, gave them land near a military base, wrote the Chinese ambassador a love letter saying what a great friend they were.

In Florida, I banned China from buying land. pic.twitter.com/HYhtYKrMZe

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 9, 2023

From The Hill:

“She welcomed them into South Carolina gave [China] land near a military base, wrote the Chinese ambassador a love letter saying what a great friend they were,” DeSantis said.

“I banned China from buying land in this state. And we kicked out adversities, and we kicked the Confucius Institutes out of our universities. We’ve recognized the threat, and we’ve acted swiftly and decisively,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Haley similarly targeted DeSantis’s record on China, pointing to the presence of manufacturers of Chinese military planes in Florida.

JUST IN: Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis get in a spat over China attacks

HALEY: "You have a company [in Florida] that is a manufacturer of Chinese military planes! […] One which is 12 miles away from a naval base."

DESANTIS: "I abolished that agency that she's talking about!" pic.twitter.com/l5rXzZE5Lm

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) November 9, 2023

“Ron, you are the chair of your economic development agency that as of last week said Florida is the ideal place for Chinese businesses,” Haley said. “Not only that, you have a company that is a manufacturer of Chinese military planes. You have it,” she continued, claiming the company was expanding two training sites at two airports in Florida.

DeSantis responded by saying that he abolished the agency.

“And of course, we banned China from buying land,” he said. “Not exactly a great recruiting pitch if you’re banning them from purchasing land at all.”

The clash between the two presidential candidates on stage follows a series of attacks their campaigns have lobbed at each other in recent weeks.

Here’s an ad Nikki Haley does not want you to see. pic.twitter.com/Yl97LRL46b

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 9, 2023

Last week, the Washington Examiner ran a story concerning DeSantis’ China record and his feud with Haley.

According to the article, the website for Florida’s economic development entity used to feature a 2020 report that talked extensively about business opportunities in China.

First, Ron lied about recruiting Chinese business to Florida.

Then, he orchestrated a government-wide cover up to scrub the evidence of his China ties from the internet. https://t.co/y6JjWRNeph

— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 9, 2023

A day after the article was published, the report had been removed from the website.

From the Washington Examiner:

Under DeSantis, Florida has a contract with Lenovo until Dec. 31 despite multiple federal departments and agencies boycotting the company over national security concerns, particularly after China passed its 2017 intelligence law. That law requires businesses registered or operating in China to cooperate with the government, such as sharing sensitive information with the Chinese Communist Party.

“Facts matter. Ron DeSantis uniquely recognizes the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party and spent his governorship working to end pre-existing state ties with China and build up protections against future Chinese incursions,” DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

“Nikki Haley spent her governorship courting Chinese businesses to South Carolina, calling them a friend, and failing to pursue corrective efforts to safeguard her state from the threat of the CCP,” Griffin said. “As president, Ron DeSantis will ensure America wins and China loses. Nikki Haley’s past actions show that she would continue to roll out the red carpet for the CCP, which is disqualifying for anyone running for president.”