China has named Li Chenggang as its new representative for international trade negotiations and vice minister of commerce, as Beijing seeks to strengthen its position in an ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
The announcement, made by China’s Ministry of Human Resources, comes as President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports continue to rattle global markets.
Li, 58, brings decades of experience in trade policy, having 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 Peking University and the University of Hamburg.
Li replaces Wang Shouwen, who played a key role in negotiating the 2020 trade agreement with the U.S.
The leadership change comes as trade tensions between the two powers intensify. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have reached 145 percent, while China has retaliated with 125 percent duties on American imports.
Beijing has condemned the tariffs, warning they are placing “certain pressures” on its economy—even as it reported stronger-than-expected 5.4 percent year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2025.
