Representative Tim Ryan is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Ohio and is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on May 3, 2022. Ryan’s campaign largely focuses on the working class as he promises to bring jobs back to Ohio and rebuild infrastructure.

In his newest campaign ad, Ryan says “It’s us versus China.”

“It is time for us to fight back,” Ryan continues. “You are our greatest weapon in this fight.”

Ryan has been met with swift criticism from the Asian community and allies for the ad’s sinophobia. Many have pointed out the striking similarities with some of former President Trump’s campaign ads that were also anti-China.

A statement from the Asian Americans Midwest Progressives (AAMP) said, “The decision from Rep. Ryan’s campaign to alienate AAPI voters through the use of anti-China rhetoric is misguided at best and violent at worst, and does not strategically facilitate a path forward for a Democratic victory in the race for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat.

This ad utilizes anti-Asian rhetoric popularized by extremist right-wing Republicans in an attempt to mobilize voters out of fear. By aligning his campaign with this right-wing rhetoric, Rep. Ryan is signaling that he is unconcerned with fueling increased violence against AAPIs, and unconcerned with the real issues facing Ohioans. Rather than holding accountable the corporations that are hurting workers everywhere, this ad solely blames China for workers’ woes. This tactic is not new: blaming Asian countries and Asian people for corporate anti-worker choices is a persistent American political trend that has led to projection of that blame onto individuals, like in the case of the violent murder of Vincent Chin, a 27-year-old draftsman in Detroit.”

Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) is calling on Ryan to take down the ad.