The Bush administration's decision this week not to open an investigation into China's practice of deliberately undervaluing its currency, which hurts American goods by making Chinese products artificially cheaper, was sharply criticized Wednesday by many Democrats, and by at least one prominent Republican - Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio. Voinovich said in a national news story Wednesday that the administration's decision to use a "soft," diplomatic approach to China, rather than an investigation that could lead to trade sanctions, allows China to steal jobs from Ohioans.

"Just as we're standing up to military dictators around the globe, we can't now back down from economic dictators. In this case, not only does China regularly abuse the rights of its own people, but it also abuses the economic rights of its trading partners," Voinovich said in a statement issued by his office. "I'm very disappointed with the administration's soft approach to China. Unless we get tough with a regime bent on stealing our technology and stealing our jobs, there won't be an American manufacturing sector. According to Ohio State University Professor Daniel Chow, an expert on China's economy, 66 percent of all counterfeit goods seized by U.S. Customs agents come from China.

"The Chinese deliberately manipulate the value of their currency so their products will sell for less and unfairly undercut their international competition. The administration should certify that this is happening and slap punitive tariffs on Chinese-made goods in order to level the playing field for American-made goods and protect the jobs of the American workers who make them.

"We must hold our international trading partners accountable when they violate the rules of free trade. For China to truly be a modern nation, accepted into the world community, it must learn to deal fairly with its trading partners. Turning a blind eye to their abuses now will only embolden the Chinese to get away with additional and more serious trade crimes in the future. I encourage the administration to rethink its position on this issue."

Do you know a position, vote or statement made by a public official that you'd like them to explain? Make a suggestion; we'll ask. Send ideas to Ray Cooklis at rcooklis@enquirer.com; phone (513) 768-8525.