China has named a new top trade negotiator as it seeks to navigate escalating tensions with Washington, following a fresh wave of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump that rattled global markets.
Li Chenggang, a seasoned diplomat and trade official, has been appointed Vice Minister of Commerce and Representative for International Trade Negotiations, according to a statement released Wednesday by China’s Ministry of Human Resources.
Li, 58, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has previously served as China’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva. He holds law degrees from both Peking University and the University of Hamburg in Germany, and has spent decades in various senior roles within the Ministry of Commerce.
He replaces Wang Shouwen, who played a key role in securing the 2020 phase-one trade agreement between the U.S. and China during a tense period of negotiations under the Trump administration.
Li’s appointment comes as China pushes back against what it has described as aggressive tariff measures by the United States. Since Trump reignited tariff action, tit-for-tat duties have soared — with U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports now reaching 145%, while China’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods stand at 125%.
Despite the renewed strain, China reported better-than-expected economic data on Wednesday, with first-quarter GDP growth hitting 5.4% year-on-year. Still, officials acknowledged that the U.S. tariffs are putting “certain pressures” on the economy.
The move to appoint a new envoy signals Beijing’s intent to reset or reframe future trade talks, even as both sides remain entrenched in a long-running economic standoff.
