Trade War Escalates: China Lashes Out Over Trump’s 145% Tariffs as U.S. Stands Firm
As President Trump’s economic team rolls out a sweeping 145% tariff against Chinese goods, the Chinese Communist Party is responding with unusually heated rhetoric, signaling a deepening trade confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.
Chinese Official Blasts Trump: “Peasants in the U.S. Will Cry”
Xia Baolong, a senior CCP official overseeing Hong Kong and Macao, took to state-run media to accuse the U.S. of attempting to destroy China’s economic core. “The US isn’t after our tariffs but our very survival,” he declared. “The US has repeatedly contained and suppressed Hong Kong… and this will eventually backfire on itself.”
But Xia didn’t stop there.
“Let those peasants in the United States suffer in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization,” he said. “The Chinese people do not cause trouble, nor are they afraid of trouble.”
His statement, though not from President Xi Jinping himself, almost certainly carried the leader’s tacit approval given the rigid control over speech within the Communist Party. Xia’s rhetoric represents a rare glimpse into China’s internal frustration—and a sharp warning that Beijing may not back down easily.
Vance Fires First Shot: “We Borrow From Chinese Peasants to Buy What They Make”
Xia’s comments appear to be a response to Vice President J.D. Vance, who sparked controversy earlier this month by attacking the foundation of U.S.-China trade.
“We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” Vance told Fox News, emphasizing the self-defeating nature of America’s trade dependence.
He continued:
“That is NOT a recipe for economic prosperity. That is a recipe for national weakness.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry was quick to respond. Spokesperson Lin Jian called the vice president’s remarks “astonishing and lamentable,” accusing the Trump administration of harboring “ignorant and disrespectful views” toward the Chinese people.
Treasury Secretary Slams China’s “Debt Diplomacy” in Latin America
In a parallel diplomatic spat, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of “rapacious deals” in Latin America that saddle nations with unsustainable debt under the guise of foreign aid. China’s embassy in Argentina dismissed the comments as “smears” and urged the U.S. to stop “meddling” in Latin American affairs.
This is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to curb China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which critics say is a backdoor for political influence and economic control in the developing world.
A New Era of U.S.-China Economic Confrontation
Trump’s aggressive tariff policy marks a stark departure from decades of globalist trade consensus. But unlike previous trade skirmishes, this moment feels different—more ideological, more confrontational, and increasingly unrestrained.
While critics warn of consumer price hikes and retaliation, the Trump administration insists the pain is worth it to restore American manufacturing, decouple from hostile supply chains, and protect national security.
Meanwhile, Beijing is showing signs of strain beneath its defiant tone. The public outbursts, personal insults, and emotional rhetoric betray the CCP’s growing anxiety about losing access to the world’s largest consumer market.
As the dust settles on this latest volley, one thing is clear: President Trump’s tariffs are working—and Beijing is feeling the heat.