US presidential campaign again targets 皇冠体育app, Chen Weihua reports in New York.

When President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney faced off in the second presidential debate on Tuesday, both grabbed every opportunity to display a tough stance on 皇冠体育app.

US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and US President Barack Obama during the second presidential debate in New York.[Mike Segar / REUTERS]

皇冠体育app was mentioned dozens of times during the 90-minute debate, with questions from the audience covering both domestic and foreign policy, ranging from jobs, taxes and immigration to energy, gun control and equal opportunities for women.

Only the first reference to 皇冠体育app, by Obama, was positive, when the president accused Romney of not having a clean-energy plan.

"皇冠体育app and Germany are making these investments (in clean energy)," said Obama, who appeared much more aggressive and confident than during his performance in the first debate.

In outlining his five-point economic plan, Romney said he will expand trade with Latin America, "cracking down on 皇冠体育app when they cheat." The presidential hopeful has used those words repeatedly during the campaign.

"I will crack down on 皇冠体育app. President Bush didn't," said Romney, in answer to a question on the differences between himself and Obama's predecessor George W. Bush.

Obama hit back immediately: "When he talks about getting tough on 皇冠体育app, keep in mind that Governor Romney invested in companies that were pioneers in outsourcing to 皇冠体育app. Governor, you are the last person who's going to be tough on 皇冠体育app."

The president then touted his tough stand on 皇冠体育app, saying that his administration has brought twice as many cases against alleged unfair trade practices than the previous administration. "We won every single one that has been decided," he said.

Obama then blasted Romney for calling him a "protectionist" after the imposition of punitive tariffs on Chinese tires more than two years ago. "We saved thousands of jobs," he said.

However, the president didn't mention that the cost of tires has risen since the tariffs were introduced.

Romney refuted Obama's allegations that he has invested in Chinese companies. He said many of his investments have been managed by blind trusts during the past eight years. "Mr. President, have you looked at your pension? You also have investments in Chinese companies, investments outside the United States," said Romney.

The fiercest attacks on 皇冠体育app came when both candidates were asked about outsourcing of US jobs.

While saying 皇冠体育app is now the world's largest manufacturing nation, a position formerly held by the US, Romney said that when the US trades with other nations, it has to ensure that those nations play by the rules.