On Tuesday, China criticised U.S. Vice President JD Vance for his comment about the Chinese people, calling it “ignorant and impolite.” This exchange comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose retaliatory and extra tariffs on Beijing. Foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that “China’s position on China-US economic and trade relations has been made very clear.” He further said, “It is surprising and sad to hear such ignorant and impolite words from this vice president.”

Beijing, a major economic competitor to Washington and one of its important trading partners, hit back by announcing 34 per cent tariffs on U.S. goods, which were set to take effect on Thursday. This move further intensifies the standoff between the world’s two biggest economies.

In an interview with Fox News last week, Vance supported the U.S. tariffs on China, arguing, “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture.” He continued, “That is not a recipe for economic prosperity. It’s not a recipe for low prices, and it’s not a recipe for good jobs in the United States of America.”

On Tuesday, China criticised the United States for using “pressure, threats and blackmail” in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an unprecedented 50 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, a move likely to shake an unstable market.

Speaking on the issue, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated, “Tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism has no way out. Chinese people don’t make trouble but are not afraid of it. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China.”

China’s quick response prompted another warning from Trump, who said he would introduce even more tariffs if Beijing continued to resist his ongoing trade measures, a step that could raise the total tariffs on Chinese goods to 104 per cent.