China Removes Top Trade Negotiator from WTO Post

China has formalized the new role of top trade negotiator Li Chenggang, removing him from his position as permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the official news agency Xinhua said, Laurie Chen and Liz Lee reported for Reuters.

As a former WTO envoy and assistant minister of commerce, Li Chenggang, 58, played a key role in four successive rounds of U.S.-China trade talks as both sides sought to avert a bruising trade war. (Photo: World Trade Organization) 

The news comes after tensions between the world’s two biggest economies flared once again, following new U.S. sanctions on foreign companies and China’s sweeping export curbs on rare earths and critical materials in response.

The announcement, following Li’s April appointment as lead international trade negotiator, was part of a routine list of recent ambassadorial changes approved by President Xi Jinping.

China’s current representative to the WTO is Li Yongjie, who presented her credentials on September 29, the trade body said on its Weibo social media account.

As a former WTO envoy and assistant minister of commerce, Li Chenggang, 58, played a key role in four successive rounds of U.S.-China trade talks as both sides sought to avert a bruising trade war after imposing tariffs of more than 100% on each other in April.

Last week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took the unusual step of singling Li out by name, describing him as “unhinged” at a public event.

“Perhaps the vice minister who showed up here with very incendiary language on Aug. 28 has gone rogue,” Bessent said on Wednesday. “This individual was very disrespectful.”