In a recent address, Chinese official Xia Baolong criticized the Trump administration’s trade policies, claiming that the ‘peasants in the United States’ will ultimately face negative repercussions from the ongoing trade war.
Xia, who is the director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office under the State Council, described the tariff policies implemented by the Trump administration as ‘extremely shameless.’
His remarks seem to be a direct response to comments made by Vice President JD Vance, who previously stated on Fox News that the ‘globalist economy’ in the U.S. is fundamentally flawed.
Vance emphasized the dependency on borrowing money from countries like China to purchase goods manufactured overseas, arguing that this system does not promote economic prosperity or job growth within the United States.
In his address, Xia went on to say, ‘Let those peasants in the United States wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization,’ further highlighting the tensions between the two nations over trade disputes.
He accused the U.S. of being the ‘biggest sinister manipulator undermining human rights, freedom, the rule of law, prosperity, and stability in Hong Kong,’ according to reports from the South China Morning Post.
Xia claimed that the U.S. seeks not just tariffs but the very survival of China itself, stating, ‘The US has repeatedly contained and suppressed Hong Kong … and this will eventually backfire on itself.’
Additionally, he labeled the U.S. as a ‘bully,’ vowing that the Chinese government would continue to support Hong Kong amidst escalating tensions.
‘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 urged, reflecting the growing dissatisfaction in Beijing regarding U.S. criticisms of its foreign policy.
The U.S. Department of State has previously condemned Beijing’s use of national security laws to intimidate and harass pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, pointing out the installation of sympathetic officials by Beijing on the island following large-scale protests in 2019.
This is not the first instance of Vice President Vance’s remarks drawing the ire of the Chinese government.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian expressed bewilderment and disappointment over Vance’s comments, describing them as ‘words that lack knowledge and respect.’
In conjunction with the ongoing tensions, Chinese President Xi Jinping is currently touring Southeast Asia, promoting Beijing as a source of ‘stability and certainty’ during his visit in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Xi stated, ‘As beneficiaries of economic globalization, both China and Vietnam should strengthen strategic resolve, jointly oppose unilateral bullying acts, uphold the global free trade system, and keep global industrial and supply chains stable,’ signaling a unified front against U.S. trade actions.
In a response to Xi’s recent engagements, Trump reacted to the meeting between Xi and Vietnam’s Communist Party leader, To Lam, offering a critical perspective on their intentions.
During a press briefing at the White House, Trump remarked that the two leaders appeared to be coordinating efforts to figure out ‘How do we screw the United States of America?’ highlighting the competitive dynamics at play in international relations.
The ongoing trade tensions and the escalating rhetoric from both sides underscore a complex geopolitical landscape that continues to evolve, particularly in the context of global economic shifts and competing interests.
image source from：https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/china-lashes-out-says-peasants-united-states-suffer-from-trade-war
