China Names New Trade Chief as Tariff Showdown with U.S. Heats Up

Li Chenggang Takes Over as China’s Lead Trade Envoy in U.S. Tariff Showdown

In the middle of rising tariff tensions with Washington, China has just tapped a new top international trade negotiator. Li Chenggang will take over from Wang Shouwen, who played a key role in brokering the 2020 trade deal with the U.S. The move comes as both countries continue to pile on tariffs.

The U.S. recently slapped China with up to 145% taxes on exports, while other nations got a 90-day breather. China fired back with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, showing it’s not backing down anytime soon. Though no official reason was given for the switch in negotiators, timing is everything.

China’s economy grew 5.4% year-on-year in Q1, driven largely by exports, but analysts warn that incoming U.S. tariffs could slow momentum. Beijing’s goal for 2024 remains a 5% growth rate. Li isn’t new to the game—he’s been China's ambassador to the WTO and served in top roles at the Ministry of Commerce. He also brings academic weight with a law degree from Peking University and a master’s in economic law from the University of Hamburg.

Beijing says it’s ready to play the long game—leaning more on domestic demand, Europe, and the Global South. But with China’s consumer spending still soft, replacing the U.S. market won’t be easy. Meanwhile, it’s also tightening control over rare earth exports, a key ingredient in high-tech and defense industries.

With a seasoned hand now at the helm, China seems poised to navigate the next chapter of this trade showdown—carefully, but with no signs of backing down.