China Hits Back: Trump’s Tariffs Mocked, JD Vance's “Peasant” Slur Reversed Amid Escalating Trade War
In the latest salvo of the intensifying US-China trade war, one of China’s top officials issued a scathing response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and Vice President JD Vance’s inflammatory remarks. Xia Baolong, a senior Chinese official and director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, took sharp aim at the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs and invoked Vice President Vance’s past slur to deliver a cutting counterattack.
Speaking last week in Beijing, Xia condemned what he called Washington’s “extremely shameless” trade strategy, saying it would inevitably backfire and result in economic pain for ordinary Americans. His comments came in the wake of a sharp escalation in tariff tit-for-tat between the world’s two largest economies. “Let those peasants in the United States wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation,” Xia said, drawing pointed attention to Vance’s controversial comments from a prior Fox News interview.
The phrase “Chinese peasants” used by JD Vance has long sparked outrage among Chinese officials and citizens. During the interview, Vance said, “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” a statement that was quickly condemned by Beijing for its disparaging tone and perceived racial undertones. Xia’s choice to echo the same language—referring now to Americans as “peasants”—was a strategic jab meant to turn the insult around and highlight the hypocrisy in US political rhetoric.
This war of words coincides with serious economic moves. In direct retaliation to the Trump administration’s latest tariff hike on Chinese goods—raising the levies to a steep 145%—Beijing has responded by increasing its own tariffs on US imports to 125%. The punitive tariffs span agricultural products, machinery, electronics, and more, aimed at inflicting pressure on American farmers and manufacturers who form part of Trump’s domestic support base.
While Washington frames its tariff policies as a move toward fair trade and protecting American jobs, China has labeled the approach “economic bullying.” In a broader commentary released by the Chinese foreign ministry, officials accused the US of reverting to “unilateralism and protectionism,” threatening the foundation of the international economic order. “Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China,” Xia added, asserting that such tactics would never coerce Beijing into submission.
Notably, Hong Kong—though politically tied to China—is adopting a more restrained stance in the current trade storm. The region’s leader, John Lee, announced that Hong Kong will not impose any retaliatory tariffs on US imports, despite being affected by the broad US measures applied to Chinese territories. Lee emphasized Hong Kong’s status as a global free trade hub and expressed concern about maintaining its open economy.
China’s overall tone suggests a hardening position in the face of escalating US provocations. While President Trump has publicly maintained optimism about reaching a resolution—telling reporters in the Oval Office that talks are ongoing and expressing confidence in a forthcoming “very good deal”—Beijing has contradicted this narrative. No Chinese officials have confirmed active dialogue with Washington, instead asserting their readiness to “fight to the end” if necessary.
Beijing’s sharp language and strategic economic retaliation signal a deepening rift between the two superpowers. Chinese commentary has warned of the global consequences of US policy, painting a picture of an international landscape where the rules of diplomacy are replaced by brute strength. “Where the strong prey on the weak, all countries will become victims,” Beijing warned, implying that the US approach threatens not only bilateral relations but also the broader stability of global trade systems.
The intensifying rhetoric also highlights how domestic political discourse in the United States can have international ramifications. JD Vance’s remarks, likely intended for a domestic audience, have become a flashpoint in diplomatic relations. China’s decision to revive and reframe his words suggests a deliberate strategy to expose what it sees as American arrogance and insensitivity.
Meanwhile, US businesses and agricultural groups are bracing for the fallout. Tariff wars have historically led to inflationary pressures, disrupted supply chains, and strained small- to mid-sized exporters. With tariffs now reaching historically high levels on both sides, economic pain may be felt far beyond political podiums—in the wallets of consumers and producers alike.
As the US-China trade conflict continues to evolve, the interplay between political rhetoric and economic policy becomes ever more evident. The words of JD Vance and Donald Trump are no longer confined to American media cycles—they are being scrutinized, repurposed, and weaponized on the global stage. In this heated environment, diplomacy is being overshadowed by insults, and the consequences are already rippling through international markets and relations.
The world watches as two powerful nations engage not only in a battle of tariffs but also in a war of words—where even a single phrase like “peasant” becomes a symbol of broader tensions and deep-seated mistrust. Whether or not a resolution is on the horizon, one thing is clear: this trade war is no longer just about economics. It’s a confrontation steeped in pride, nationalism, and cultural perception—one that neither side appears ready to end anytime soon.