On Wednesday, China appointed a new lead international trade negotiator amidst escalating tariff disputes with the United States.

The government announced that Li Chenggang would assume the role previously held by Wang Shouwen, who was involved in the trade negotiations leading to the 2020 trade agreement between China and the U.S.

The two leading global economies have progressively escalated tariffs on reciprocal goods since the United States increased duties on numerous nations; China confronts a 145% tax on its exports to the US, whereas most other countries were granted a 90-day exemption from the majority of these duties.

Earlier on Wednesday, China reported that its economy grew by 5.4% annually in the first quarter, bolstered by robust exports. However, analysts predict a notable deceleration in the world's second-largest economy in the near future, as tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the U.S. begin to have an impact.

Exports played a significant role in driving China's 5% yearly growth in 2024, aligning with the government's enduring target of around 5% for the current year.

Beijing has retaliated against the U.S. by imposing 125% tariffs on American exports, simultaneously asserting its commitment to maintaining open markets for trade and investment.

According to Sheng Laiyun, a spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, the tariffs are expected to exert immediate pressure on China's economy, though they are unlikely to impede long-term growth.

The rationale behind China's shift in negotiators remained ambiguous, yet this alteration coincides with assertions from Chinese officials that the nation possesses a diverse array of retaliatory measures against U.S. actions. These alternatives encompass a greater reliance on its expansive domestic market of 1.4 billion consumers, alongside strengthened ties with Europe and nations in the Global South. Nevertheless, given the persistent sluggishness in China's internal consumption, substituting the American consumer base will prove challenging.

China additionally implemented stricter export regulations concerning rare earth elements, materials integral to advanced technology goods, aeronautical engineering, and military industries.

Before getting his new job, Li worked for about four and a half years as China's representative to the World Trade Organization. This is the group that manages trade around the world, and Beijing has complained to them about its trade disagreement with the U.S.

He also served as the deputy permanent representative for the Chinese delegation at the United Nations office in Geneva, alongside other international organizations in Switzerland.

He has also held the position of assistant minister within the Ministry of Commerce and headed the ministry's Department of Treaty and Law.

Li possesses a bachelor's degree in law from the prestigious Peking University in China and a master's degree in economics of law from the University of Hamburg.