THE APPOINTMENT
China announced on Wednesday the appointment of a new boss for trade negotiations, at a time when it is facing exorbitant customs surcharges imposed by US President Donald Trump. Li Chenggang took office as representative for international trade negotiations and vice minister of Commerce, the Ministry of Human Resources said in a statement.
He replaces Wang Shouwen, who participated in the negotiations that led to the 2020 trade agreement between China and the United States. Aged 58, former permanent representative of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Li Chenggang has a degree in law and economics and completed part of his university studies in Germany. He held numerous positions within the Ministry of Commerce during his career.
Beijing and Washington are engaged in a commercial standoff after the American president launched a campaign of customs duties against the United States' rivals and partners - which now mainly targets the Asian giant. Donald Trump imposed customs surcharges of up to 145% on a large quantity of Chinese products. China responded with retaliatory tariffs of 125% on imported US goods.
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