China just turned Vice President JD Vance’s words against him — and added a 125% tariff to make sure the message landed.
In a fiery speech this week, top Chinese official Xia Baolong mocked Vance’s recent jab at Chinese workers, saying, “Let those peasants in the U.S. wail before the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.”
It was a direct shot at Vance, who earlier this month dismissed Chinese laborers as “peasants” during a Fox News appearance. Now Beijing is firing back — and making it sting.
The line from Xia came as China announced sweeping new import duties on American goods. The move is a direct response to the Trump administration’s decision to keep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports while backing off tariffs on other countries.
Xia didn’t hold back. He called the U.S. trade strategy “extremely shameless” and accused Washington of trying to “take away Hong Kong’s life.” He also made it clear that China, including Hong Kong, won’t fold under U.S. pressure, Reuters reports.
“The Chinese people do not cause trouble, nor are they afraid of trouble. Pressure, threats, and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China,” Xia said.
Vance, during his Fox interview, had tried to justify Trump’s tariff policies by blaming globalization for hollowing out American industry. “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things that Chinese peasants manufacture,” he said.
That line didn’t just offend Beijing — it gave them ammo. Days later, China’s Foreign Ministry publicly rebuked the vice president.
“To hear words that lack knowledge and respect like those uttered by this vice president is both surprising and kind of lamentable,” said ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.
