China appointed a new trade negotiator on Wednesday, in the midst of The battle of tariffs With the United States

The government said Lee Chenggang replaces Wang Shwin, who participated in the 2020 commercial negotiations between China and the United States

He was the largest economist in the worldSignificantly increased definitionsOn each other’s goods. China faces 145 % of export taxes to the United States, while dozens of other countries have been given a 90 -day delay for most duties.

Earlier on Wednesday, China announced that its economy expanded a5.4 % annual paceIn January to March, with the support of strong exports. Analysts expect that the second largest economy in the world will slow down in the coming months, with the validity of the definitions of American imports from China.

Exports were a strong factor in the annual growth rate of 5 % in China in 2024, and the official goal of this year is about 5 %.

Beijing fell to the United States by 125 % on US exports, while stressing its determination to maintain its markets open to trade and investment.

In the short term, definitions will pressure the Chinese economy, but they will not get out of long -term growth in the long run.

It was not clear why China had changed negotiators, but the change comes as Chinese officials say that the country has multiple options to respond to US measures, including relying on more on its vast market of 1.4 billion consumers, and in Europe and countries in the global south. But as local consumption continues in China, it will be difficult to replace the American consumer.

China also imposedMore export control itemsOn the rare ground, which includes the materials used in high -tech products, space manufacturing, and the defense sector.

Before his new appointment, he spent about 4 and a half years old Chinese Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, which is the body that governs world trade and which Beijing has resumed inductive conflict with the United States

He was also a permanent deputy of the Chinese delegation to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland.

Perhaps more than his predecessor Wang, Lee’s experience in the Ministry of Commerce and his participation in negotiating China’s accession to the World Trade Organization for more than 20 years, standing in good experience as China continues to refuse to arrange the American demands.

However, a group of high leaders from President Xi Jinping is likely to be likely to draw the session, as they represent their case in any talks with the United States, adding that Lee is considered a free trade.

“There may be another style of negotiations.

At the same time, the eleventh was explaining China as a source of “stability and certainty” in global free trade while he was touringSoutheast Asia this week– This means that China is a more reliable commercial partner than the United States

After his first visit to Vietnam, he arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, later on Tuesday, for a three -day visit and will end his tour with a stop in Cambodia. In Malaysia, Xi is expected to discuss the free trade agreement between China and the 10 -member Association in Southeast Asia, one of several money and agreements led by China as a way to overcome the organizations and mechanisms dominated by the United States and the West.

This story was originally shown on Fortune.com

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2025-04-16 08:50:00