China has issued a strong condemnation of US Vice President JD Vance, labeling him "ignorant and impolite" following his controversial remarks during a recent Fox News interview. Vance’s comments, which suggested that the US borrows money from "Chinese peasants," have sparked significant backlash both domestically and internationally.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed disappointment, stating, "It is surprising and sad to hear such ignorant and impolite words from this vice president." Vance defended the Trump administration's tariff policies by arguing that borrowing from Chinese producers is detrimental to American economic prosperity. He asserted, "We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture," characterizing such practices as harmful to US job growth and economic health, as reported by India Times.

The remarks come in the midst of escalating trade tensions between the US and China, following President Trump's decision to impose a 34% tariff on Chinese goods, with threats to raise it to 50% should China not withdraw its retaliatory measures. Trump's approach has drawn sharp criticism from economists and former officials, including John Bolton, who warned that these tariffs could lead to a global economic backlash and present a "huge opportunity for China" in the international trading system, as he shared with HuffPost.

Bolton has emphasized that instead of confronting China collectively with allies over issues such as intellectual property theft, Trump’s unilateral approach could isolate the US. He stated, "We are at war with our largest trading partners while we are about to go to war with China as well," further suggesting that tariffs are more about domestic political posturing than sound economic policy.

The tumult in trade relations has affected global markets, evidenced by recent stock sell-offs as investors weigh the potential impacts of Trump's aggressive trade policies. Economists are increasingly concerned that the tariffs, described as “arbitrary” by critics, may lead to increased prices for consumers and slow economic growth, with some warning of a potential recession.

Amidst this backdrop, Vance's comments have ignited a firestorm on social media, with many expressing outrage at the disrespectful characterization of Chinese workers and raising questions about the implications of such statements on diplomatic relations. While the US administration continues to double down on tariffs, the long-term effects on both the American and Chinese economies remain uncertain.

For more details, visit the South China Morning Post.