Beijing, Apr. 16 (BNA):  China appointed a former envoy to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as its new trade negotiator, replacing Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce, amid escalating tariff tensions with the United States.

The move comes as Beijing adopts a hardline approach in the ongoing trade dispute triggered by steep tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Chinese imports.

Prior to the latest escalation, Wang had received foreign business executives in Beijing, offering reassurances regarding China’s economic outlook, Reuters reported. 

The appointment follows official data showing a 27.1% year-on-year decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) in local currency terms in 2024, the sharpest drop since the 2008 global financial crisis.

H.F, A.A