Walker calls on Obama to cancel Chinese state visit

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a GOP presidential contender, is calling on President Obama to cancel the upcoming state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Americans are struggling to cope with the fall in today’s markets driven in part by China’s slowing economy and the fact that they actively manipulate their economy,” Walker said in a statement.

“Rather than honoring Chinese President Xi Jinping with an official state visit next month, President Obama should focus on holding China accountable over its increasing attempts to undermine U.S. interests.”

{mosads}His statement came on a turbulent day for markets after Chinese stocks tumbled, setting off a chain reaction across the globe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,000 points to start the day before closing at 588 points down.

Walker said he hoped to see “some backbone from President Obama on U.S.-China relations” in response to cyberattacks, currency manipulation and the weakening Chinese economy.

“Given China’s massive cyberattacks against America, its militarization of the South China Sea, continued state interference with its economy, and persistent persecution of Christians and human rights activists, President Obama needs to cancel the state visit,” Walker continued.

“There’s serious work to be done rather than pomp and circumstance.”

The U.S. and China have been at odds over a number of issues, in particular the devastating hack on the Office of Personnel Management.

The president is slated to bring up Chinese hacking during the September meeting with Xi. The administration has attributed the OPM hack to China but has taken no public stance on retaliation, despite pressure to respond from lawmakers, 2016 hopefuls and policy experts.

Those calling for retaliation have suggested a wide range of responses, from economic sanctions and currency restrictions to revenge hacks.