HOST: Both President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney have singled out China's trade policies for some severe criticism during this month's presidential debates. But KQED’s Peter Jon Shuler reports that tactic is getting mixed reviews in Silicon Valley, where China is both a competitor and a business partner.

 

SHULER: Campaign saber-rattling doesn't necessarily rattle business relationships between Silicon Valley and China. Head of marketing for TrustGo mobile security Jeff Becker says Chinese business people he talks to understand the difference between trade policy and campaign rhetoric.

 

JEFF BECKER: "I think we’ll continue to see more and more partnerships happening between China and the US. And I don’t think the presidential candidates’ statements are really going to have much of a cooling effect on that."

 

But CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group Carl Guardino urges the candidates to exercise caution.

 

CARL GUARDINO: "Often it’s the individual employer who is then left trying to pick up the pieces with that government. And that’s a very hard position for one employer, even if it’s a big employer trying to stand up to an entire nation."

 

Guardino says federal officials need to negotiate legitimate differences with China and tone down the rhetoric.