Vance’s wife Usha dismissed the rumour last year, telling a US media outlet that “they’re all natural. I’ve always been jealous of those lashes.”
The suggestion quickly resurfaced in China after Vance’s comment that the tariffs were necessary because “we borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian last week called Vance’s remarks “ignorant and disrespectful”, saying it was “surprising and pathetic to hear such ignorant and disrespectful words from this vice-president”.
On social media, a user calling himself Tombkeeper asked: “As a precision retaliation, what if we stop exporting eyeliner pencils to the US?” Another commenter, Yan Chuang, suggested that someone should “tell Vance his eyeliner will be more expensive with the tariff”.
On another social media platform, a user called StylistChenXue shared the professional suggestion that Vance should remove the liner on his lower lids to create the look of an “authoritative and sharp” politician without being funny.
