In the midst of a trade war, economic and tariff-related between the United States and China, a Chinese diplomat mocked Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, on social media for wearing a supposed item "made in China," while her political boss, President Donald Trump, intensifies his rhetoric against the Asian country.
Zhang Zhisheng, the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Denpasar, Indonesia, wrote on the social media platform X: "Blaming China is business. Buying from China is life."
Additionally, he expressed: “The beautiful lace of the dress was recognized by a worker from a Chinese company as their product.”
The diplomat responded sarcastically to several American users who came to the spokesperson's defense.
To someone who said that "soon everything will be made in the United States," with a meme of an overweight American worker in a factory.
Meanwhile, to another person who spoke about China’s dependence on U.S. investments, he replied: "Read some economic statistics about China before commenting."
The post quickly went viral and several media outlets picked up on it.
The British media Daily Mail pointed out that Leavitt wore the red dress with black trim in January, which became the center of the controversy, made in Mabu, China.
They also stated that the article of clothing has an approximate cost of 750 dollars.
The trade war between the United States and China intensified last Friday when Washington raised tariffs on Chinese products up to 145%, one of the highest rates since the conflict began.
Despite international criticism and fears of a new economic slowdown, President Donald Trump stated that this measure "will protect American jobs" and affirmed that China "will eventually yield to the pressure."
On the same day, the Beijing government responded decisively, increasing its own tariffs on U.S. products by up to 125%. Through an official statement, China sent a direct message to Trump: "The era of submission is over."
The official statement was disseminated by Chinese state media and seen as a reaffirmation of the defiant tone that has characterized the posture of the Asian giant in response to the decisions of the White House.
On the other hand, the escalating tariff tensions between China and the United States have extended to the aviation industry, following reports that on Tuesday, the Asian giant ordered its airlines to stop accepting deliveries of Boeing aircraft.
On April 14, sources close to the U.S. Department of Commerce revealed that Washington was considering the possibility of imminently withdrawing the tariff exemptions granted to certain imported products from China.
This strategy aims to limit Chinese companies' access to critical technologies while strengthening internal incentives for domestic production.
In this climate of bilateral hostility, several Chinese officials took to social media to troll Donald Trump with memes and sarcastic messages.
The viral content referred to the contradictions of the president, alluding to his nationalist rhetoric while he continues to rely on goods manufactured in China. One of the most popular messages compared Trump's speeches to a "media show without substance."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trade War Between the United States and China
Why did a Chinese diplomat mock Karoline Leavitt?
A Chinese diplomat mocked Karoline Leavitt because, while her boss, Donald Trump, was criticizing China, she was wearing a dress supposedly made in China. This was seen as a contradiction amidst the anti-China rhetoric of the Trump administration.
What are the latest tariff measures between the U.S. and China?
The United States raised tariffs on Chinese products to 145%, while China responded with tariffs of 125% on American products. These measures are part of an escalation in the trade war between the two nations.
How do Trump's tariffs affect the U.S. economy?
Trump's tariffs negatively impact the U.S. economy, causing price increases and concerns about a potential recession. Sectors such as construction and retail are facing losses due to the rising costs of imported goods from China.
How has China responded to U.S. sanctions?
China has responded to U.S. sanctions with its own tariff measures and has warned that it will not accept Washington's coercion. Furthermore, it has imposed restrictions on American companies and has reiterated its willingness to withstand economic pressures.
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