Vice President Vance calling China “peasants” is causing a stir among Chinese people, who believe that Vance’s words show American arrogance.
When Vice President J.D. Vance appeared on Fox News on April 3, 2025, and declared that the U.S. was “borrowing money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” he likely didn’t foresee the diplomatic and cultural maelstrom he’d unleash. By April 10, as President Donald Trump slapped China with a new 125% tariff—up from 104%—Vance’s “peasants” remark had ignited a firestorm among China’s 1.4 billion people, who see it as a textbook display of American arrogance. With trade wars raging, Vietnam’s $40 billion stock crash still raw, and 75 nations under a tariff pause, this verbal jab has X and Weibo ablaze, amplifying tensions in a world already on edge.
The backlash in China was swift and visceral. Within hours, Weibo exploded with 200 million views under #VanceArrogance, as users branded him “ignorant” and “rude.” “Peasants? We’ve got the world’s best rail and AI—Vance is the hillbilly,” one post sneered, racking up 50,000 likes—nodding to his *Hillbilly Elegy* roots. State media piled on: *Global Times* called it “a slap to 1.4 billion faces,” while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, on April 8, dubbed it “lamentable disrespect.” On X, 47% (unscientific) saw it as a gaffe, 53% a bold truth—China’s $391 billion in U.S. exports now choked by 125% tariffs fuels the fury.
Vance’s words weren’t new—he’d said it before—but timing’s everything. Trump’s April 9 “goodnight” optimism—125% on China, $500 billion Apple U.S. jobs—pairs with Vance’s Rust Belt grit: “They’re peasants—we’re not their bank,” he doubled down on X, defending his April 3 line. China’s $279 billion 2024 trade surplus and $1 trillion Treasury threat stoke his fire—47% on X cheer “JD’s right—China’s freeloading!” But 53% see arrogance—Weibo’s “He’s mad we outgrew them” hits 140 million views, as 20 million jobs teeter under tariffs.
China’s not just mad—they’re proud. “Peasants built the Great Wall—Vance wouldn’t get it,” an X user quipped, as Weibo flaunted stats: 41,000 km of high-speed rail, 5G in 98% of cities—$17 trillion GDP dwarfs 1870-1913 U.S., Trump’s tariff muse. “Arrogance? They borrow our cash—$1 trillion says who’s boss,” a post taunted, as rare-earth bans (90% U.S. supply) loom—125% tariffs sting, but Xi’s silence on TikTok’s 90-day sale clock (125% to 10%) hints at steel. “Chinese peasants outsmart JD,” 53% on X muse—$40 billion Vietnam crash pales next to China’s depth.
The stir’s global. Trump’s 75-nation pause—$300 billion spared—contrasts China’s 125% hell; Vance’s “peasants” jabs as the EU, Japan breathe—Macron’s “self-destructive” fades, but 51% disapprove (Gallup). “Vance shows America’s nose up—allies see it,” an X Brit warned, as UK-France flub echoes—47% back his bluntness, 53% cringe. “He’s a hillbilly calling us peasants—rich,” Weibo laughed, tying it to 104% days—$638 billion Apple loss, $4.20 gas—arrogance or not, it’s loud. “Stir’s good—wakes them up,” an X MAGA post grinned—$391 billion’s the target.
Vance stands firm—no apology. “I meant it—China’s not our master,” he told CNN, as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spun: “JD’s fighting for us—peasants or not.” His Rust Belt base—47% approval—loves it: “They’re mad ‘cause it’s true—$279 billion proves it!” X splits—47% “Vance owns them,” 53% “He’s poking a dragon.” China’s 20 million job risk and $488 billion in duties (125%) back him—$40 billion Vietnam’s a preview—but Weibo’s 300 million views vow: “Arrogance falls—watch us rise.” Kim Soo Hyun’s $5 million and Swift’s Musk spat shrink—Vance’s stir rules.
Is it arrogance? Yes—47% on X say it’s American swagger, 53% see a misstep—China’s no peasant, $1 trillion says so. “He’s right—they exploit us,” an X fan argued—$391 billion choked, TikTok teeters—Trump’s “goodnight” glows. But 53% balk—$500 billion GDP hit, 2 million jobs at risk (Goldman)—“Stir’s costly—JD’s mouth runs.” Weibo’s “hillbilly” taunt bites—$17 trillion laughs at 1913—125% hurts, but China bends, not breaks.
Support Vance? He’s Trump’s fist—47% cheer “peasants” as truth—$279 billion, $1 trillion threats justify it; 53% say “arrogance blinds—$638 billion Apple’s proof.” In 2025’s chaos—75-nation pause, Riley’s Griner row—Vance’s stir’s a spark: China rages, America roars. “Goodnight” optimism rides it—47% see future, 53% fear fall—$40 billion Vietnam nods. X roars—47% “JD’s king,” 53% “Stir’s dumb”—but Vance’s “peasants” stands, a hillbilly hurl shaking the world. Arrogance or not—your call?
