Jon Huntsman on Mark Amodei "red alert" ad: we'll see how efficient it

By Anjeanette Damon (contact) Friday 24 June 2011 | 18.00: 32

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who recently resigned as the United States's Ambassador to China to run for President, demonstrated his diplomatic tone of the day when asked about Republican congressional candidate's Mark Amodei campaign latest ad that envisioned a world to take over by the Chinese.

"Everyone has the right to do what they want to do in a free market system," said the Huntsman. "That's what is great about America because in China, you would never be able to do this."

Huntsman said he saw the "last part" of Amodei's ad, which contains a mock Chinese newscast describes a Chinese Empire financed by American debt. The final image is Chinese troops marches on the u.s. Capitol. Amodei, who oppose raising the debt limit, said he used the inflammatory images to provoke a conversation about the dangers of the country's growing debt.

"We see how effective it is," said the Huntsman.

The advertisement has been criticised as racist and potentially damage Nevada trade relations with China. Nevada's exports to China have grown exponentially over the last decade and is still an important tourism market for the State.

Huntsman said he has doubts about the Chinese will be offended by the ad.

"I believe that the time they learned to understand how the free-wheeling our political system, which, deep, envy," he said.