Beijing strongly criticized U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance after he referred to the Chinese people as “peasants” in a recent interview on Fox News. His remarks, made last Thursday, were part of his defense of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods.

It is surprising and pathetic’ to hear such comments, Chinese foreign ministry says, as trade tensions with the US come to a head.

China on Tuesday slammed US Vice President JD Vance for his comments about “Chinese peasants” in an interview that has drawn widespread ire and ridicule on China’s internet – and comparisons with Vance’s own self-proclaimed “hillbilly” background.