China fires back at JD Vance for 'peasant' statement
Vice President JD Vance (Photo: Getty Images)
China has strongly criticized the recent remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance about "Chinese peasants," calling his statement "ignorant and impolite," according to The New York Times.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, condemned Vance's remarks, saying that his words reflected a lack of understanding and respect.
Vance sparked controversy after his appearance on Fox News, where he said that the United States was "borrowing money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture."
"China’s position on Sino-US economic and trade relations has been made very clear," Lin Jian stated. "It is surprising and sad to hear the vice president say such ignorant and impolite words."
The comments came amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries. The Trump administration has already imposed significant global tariffs, and President Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 50% if Beijing does not reverse its retaliatory measures.
On Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce accused the United States of "blackmail" and declared that Beijing would "fight to the end."
Vance's comments escalate global tensions
Vance defended the administration’s tariffs during his Fox News interview, questioning what the "globalist economy" had done for the United States.
He argued that America was "incurring a huge amount of debt to buy things that other countries make" and specifically pointed to Chinese manufacturing.
Financial experts have warned that the ongoing trade conflict could increase inflation and cause further economic disruption.
