China designated a new principal international trade negotiator on Wednesday, amidst mounting tariff disputes with the United States.

The government announced Li Chenggang's appointment as successor to Wang Shouwen, the former participant in the 2020 China-U.S. trade agreement negotiations.

The two largest global economies have progressively escalated import taxes on each other's products, a trend that began following the United States' imposition of tariffs on various nations. China's exports to the U.S. are subjected to a 145% duty, whereas many other countries were granted a three-month deferral on most levies.

Earlier on Wednesday, China reported its economy experienced a 5.4% annualized growth rate from January to March, underpinned by robust exports; however, analysts project a notable deceleration in the world's second-largest economy in the ensuing months as tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. are implemented.

Exports played a significant role in facilitating China's approximately 5% annual growth rate in 2024, aligning with the government's maintained target for this year.

Beijing has responded to the U.S. by putting a 125% tax on American goods, while also saying it is determined to keep its markets open for trade and investment.

Sheng Laiyun, a spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, informed reporters that in the foreseeable future, the tariffs are likely to exert pressure on China's economy, but they are unlikely to impede its long-term growth trajectory.

It wasn't clear why China was changing negotiators, but this happened while Chinese officials said they had many ways to respond to the U.S. They mentioned using their large market of 1.4 billion people more, and getting help from Europe and countries in the global south. However, because people in China are not buying much, it will be hard to replace what U.S. consumers buy.

Additionally, China implemented stricter regulations on the export of rare earths, which are essential components in advanced technological goods, aviation construction, and military applications.

Before taking up his new role, Li had served for around four and a half years as China's representative to the World Trade Organization, the entity regulating international trade, to which Beijing has referred its tariff disagreement with the U.S.

He additionally served as deputy permanent representative for the Chinese delegation at the United Nations office in Geneva and various other international bodies in Switzerland.

He has also held positions as an assistant minister at the Ministry of Commerce and as director-general of the ministry's Department of Treaty and Law.

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