China Appoints New Trade Negotiator as Tensions With US Intensify

The Epoch Times Header

China maintains a hardline stance on April 16, demanding that Washington cancel tariffs against China before negotiations.

As trade tensions with the United States simmer, the Chinese regime has brought a seasoned trade negotiator back to Beijing.

Li Chenggang, Chinaโ€™s envoy at the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 2021, has been appointed as the countryโ€™s international trade representative and vice commerce minister, the human resources and social security ministry said in an online statement on April 16.

Li succeeds Wang Shouwen, who was the main representative in the commerce ministryโ€™s trade talks with U.S. officials during President Donald Trumpโ€™s first term. It remains unclear whether Wang will take on a new role.

Sign of Liโ€™s promotion first emerged earlier this month when he was referred to as โ€œleaderโ€ of the commerce ministry during a symposium with domestic entrepreneurs on March 31, according to a readout from the National Development and Reform Commission, the countryโ€™s top central planning agency, which organized the meeting in Beijing.

Beijing didnโ€™t disclose the reasons for the reshuffle within the commerce ministryโ€™s leadership.

The changes come amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.

While dozens of countries have reached out to Washington seeking to negotiate bilateral agreements in response to Trumpโ€™s plans for reciprocal tariffs, Beijing has chosen to raise its own tariffs on U.S. goods and has vowed not to back down.

Trump has signaled openness to striking a deal with Beijing, and on April 15, the White House said that โ€œthe ball is in Chinaโ€™s courtโ€ for trade talks.

China maintained a hardline stance on April 16 in response to Washingtonโ€™s comments. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing that Washington should stop โ€œexerting extreme pressure.โ€

The April 16 announcement came as Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Malaysia, following meetings with Vietnamese leaders during a two-day stop in Hanoi. His final destination is Cambodia.

Analysts have said that Xiโ€™s tour fits his usual travel pattern, but the timing indicates Beijingโ€™s desire to strengthen ties with its neighbors in response to the U.S. tariffs.

Coincidentally, a senior U.S. official was set to embark on a tour to Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, and Hawaii starting April 16, the State Department announced on April 15.

Byย Dorothy Li

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

News

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.

US Economy Adds 139,000 New Jobs in May, Topping Market Forecasts

U.S. economy added 139,000 new jobs last month, surpassing economistsโ€™ expectations and indicating U.S. labor market remains in a robust position.

Guatemalan Deportee Arrives in US After Judge Orders Trump Admin to Facilitate Return

โ€œAmericaโ€™s asylum system was never intended to be used as a de facto amnesty program or a catch-all, get-out-of-deportation-free card,โ€ McLaughlin said.
spot_img

Related Articles