Super PAC Ad Supporting Haley Accuses DeSantis of Seeking Favor with China

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has criticized Nikki Haley for her connections to China as they compete for second place in the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race.

However, a super PAC supporting Haley is hitting back at DeSantis with a new ad, pointing out his comments about China being Florida’s most important trading partner and the expansion of a Chinese-owned U.S. subsidiary near a U.S. military base in the state.

The 30-second ad, which was posted on X by the pro-Haley super PAC Stand For America, starts with a female narrator saying, “Ron DeSantis is lying because he’s losing.”

“DeSantis called China Florida’s most important trading partner,” the narrator continues. “DeSantis even allowed a Chinese military contractor to expand just miles from a U.S. naval base. Phony Ron DeSantis. Too lame to lead. Too weak to win.”

Haley and DeSantis clashed over their relationships with China during the fourth GOP primary debates, with each accusing the other of not being tough enough on Beijing.

“Nikki Haley’s ad is full of debunked lies about Ron DeSantis’ record and reeks of desperation to distract from her own disastrous pro-China record,” DeSantis press secretary Bryan Griffin told The Hill. “She invited China to her state, gave away land, and even stood in front of the Chinese flag and said, ‘I now work for you.'”

Haley and DeSantis have been unable to gain any ground on former President Donald Trump, who has a commanding lead in Iowa in the latest FiveThirtyEight aggregate of polls with 50%, followed by DeSantis (18.4%) and Haley (15.7%).

Haley is faring far better in New Hampshire and DeSantis far worse, although Trump still leads the FiveThirtyEight aggregate with 44.1%. Haley (25.7%) is next, followed by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (11.1%) and DeSantis (7.6%).