China’s Exasperated Response to Trump’s Tariffs
As President Trump’s trade policies continue to reverberate globally, China finds itself in a defensive posture, particularly regarding tariffs imposed on its goods. Xia Baolong, a prominent figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) overseeing Hong Kong and Macao, has publicly condemned the hefty 145 percent tariffs, suggesting that the U.S. is not merely targeting trade but rather threatening the very existence of China.
“The U.S. isn’t just after our tariffs but our survival,” Xia declared in a recent televised address, echoing a sentiment that mixes indignation with a hint of historical gravitas. “The U.S. has consistently sought to contain and suppress Hong Kong… and this strategy will inevitably backfire.” One cannot help but wonder if he was channeling the spirit of Sun Tzu when he claimed that pressure tactics are far from the ideal way to engage with China.
In a rather theatrical flourish, he continued, “Let those peasants in the United States suffer in front of our 5,000 years of civilization.” This remark not only highlights the ongoing tension between the two powers but also invokes a deep historical narrative that China often leverages in international dialogues. Xia further asserted, “The Chinese people do not create trouble, nor do they shy away from it,” as if to remind the world that China has weathered countless storms over millennia.
TOP CHINESE OFFICIAL SAYS TRUMP’S TARIFF WAR WILL BACKFIRE “AND THOSE PEASANTS FROM THE U.S. WILL SOON BE CRYING TEARS IN FRONT OF CHINA’S 5000 YEARS CIVILIZATION.” pic.twitter.com/x0KNOjvyed
— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) April 15, 2025
While Xia’s comments were not directly from Xi Jinping himself, the tightly controlled nature of the CCP suggests that he likely had the party’s approval to deliver such a pointed critique. This fiery rhetoric appears to be a direct response to Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent remarks defending Trump’s trade policies. Vance’s blunt observation—”We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture”—seems to have struck a nerve.
JUST IN – VP JD VANCE ON TARIFFS: “What has the globalist economy gotten the USA? Incurring a huge amount of debt to buy things other countries make for us… we borrow money from Chinese peasants, to buy the things they manufacture. That is NOT a recipe for economic… pic.twitter.com/jLxYZSNJ9f
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 3, 2025
In response to Vance’s comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian characterized them as “astonishing and lamentable,” underscoring the diplomatic sensitivities at play. This exchange of barbs illustrates the precarious nature of U.S.-China relations, where rhetoric can escalate tensions in an already fraught economic landscape.
Adding to the complexity, the Chinese Embassy in Argentina has recently countered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s criticisms of China’s financial dealings in Latin America. Bessent accused China of ensnaring countries with “rapacious deals” disguised as aid. In response, the embassy suggested the U.S. should reconsider its approach, advocating for a shift away from “smearing and attacking China” and instead focusing on constructive engagement.
As this trade war unfolds, one must ponder the broader implications for the global economy and the everyday lives of ordinary citizens in both nations. The stakes are high, and it seems both sides are gearing up for a long battle, with rhetoric as sharp as the tariffs themselves.
