US election 2012: Mitt Romney unveils jobs roadmap

Mitt Romney's experience in private sector business is a key element of his bid for the presidency

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has unveiled a jobs plan, making cuts to corporate taxes and reductions to regulation his top priorities.

The 59-step plan includes 10 actions for day one of a Romney presidency, and comes as polls show President Barack Obama's approval rating down at 44%.

"America should be a job machine," Mr Romney told crowds in Nevada.

His speech precedes a presidential debate on Wednesday and Mr Obama's jobs address to Congress Thursday.

Mr Romney also took several swipes at the president, saying he knew what to expect from the upcoming address.

He said "your payphone strategy does not work in a smartphone world."

He added that Mr Obama is "not a bad guy - he just doesn't have a clue what to do" about the economy.

Boosting demand

Speaking in Nevada, Mr Romney highlighted the need for new international trade agreements which he insisted would boost demand for American products.

He proposed a "Reagan Economic Zone" for favoured trading partners, while saying he would push for sanctions against China, which he accused of keeping its currency artificially low.

Using strong language against Beijing, Mr Romney said China was the "worst example" of currency "cheaters".

"They have manipulated their currency to make their products artificially inexpensive... And I will label China as it is, a currency manipulator and I will go after them for stealing our intellectual property," he said.

Mr Romney also proposed a 5% across-the-board cut in discretionary spending, which would spare only defence and benefits, and pledged to dismantle "Obamacare", the president's healthcare legislation.