Vice President JD Vance has come under heavy scrutiny following his remarks on Fox News last week, where he referred to Chinese citizens as “peasants.” This has been highlighted as ironic due to his well-documented upbringing in poverty.
During an interview on “Fox & Friends,” Vance defended President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, aiming to emphasize the importance of American economic independence from global imports, especially from China.
“We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” Vance stated during the interview, a comment that received immediate criticism both within and outside the United States.
The Chinese government swiftly reacted to the Vice President’s comments. A foreign ministry spokesperson described Vance’s remarks as “ignorant and impolite” at an official press briefing, as reported by several outlets. This incident has added tension to the already strained U.S.-China relations amid ongoing trade disputes.
Chinese state media has responded strongly to Vance’s statements, characterizing American political leadership as “incompetent.”
The backlash is intensified by Vance’s personal history, which he chronicled in his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” The book details his difficult childhood in Middletown, Ohio, where he faced poverty and family addiction issues, leading critics to label his comments about Chinese citizens as hypocritical.
“He says ‘Chinese peasants’ with such venom and condescension. You would think the poverty in which he grew up would give him some empathy, but instead it did the opposite,” one social media user remarked in response to the interview clips.
The controversy coincides with ongoing discussions about Vance’s authenticity and his portrayal of Appalachian culture. Despite being associated with Appalachia through his memoir, some regional advocates have questioned this connection, noting that Middletown, Ohio, where Vance grew up, is not technically part of Appalachia, despite its proximity.
Critics have also pointed out the economic inaccuracies in Vance’s statement. China has advanced far beyond an agrarian economy, emerging as the world’s second-largest economy with sophisticated manufacturing, extensive urban development, and technological innovations in areas such as high-speed rail and electric vehicles.
This incident arises amid the Trump administration’s renewed push for tariffs on Chinese goods. President Trump has defended these measures as crucial for protecting American manufacturing, while critics argue they could increase costs for American consumers and provoke retaliatory actions from Beijing.
China has committed to “fight to the end” against new tariffs, describing U.S. trade policies as “bullying.” Analysts suggest that Chinese leadership is preparing its citizens for potential economic consequences while resisting perceived American pressure tactics.
This situation marks the latest in a series of contentious statements from Vance, whose political stance has shifted considerably since his memoir’s release. Prior to joining the Trump administration, Vance was known for his criticism of Trump and had a career in the technology sector with venture capitalist Peter Thiel, leading some to question his current populist stance.
Vance’s remarks have also stirred controversy on Chinese social media, with some users calling for him to be banned from traveling to China.
“It is disgraceful for someone in such an important position within the US government to make statements like this,” one Weibo user commented.
