China has removed Senior Trade Negotiator Li Chenggang from his post as the country’s permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The move was announced by state media on Monday, following US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s description of Li as “unhinged” in a recent interview.
During a visit to Washington in August, Li allegedly threatened that China would disrupt the global system if the US implemented docking fees for Chinese ships. Bessent characterized Li’s behavior as “slightly unhinged” in an interview with CNBC.
China’s Xinhua news agency published a list of ambassadorial appointments and changes on Monday, which included Li’s removal from his WTO posting. When asked about the reason behind this move, Beijing’s foreign ministry stated that it was a “routine personnel change.”
Li will retain his position as China’s international trade representative and vice minister of commerce. He led a Chinese delegation to Washington for trade talks in August, where he called for “equal dialogue and consultation” between the two nations.
The development comes as China and the US are set to conduct another round of trade negotiations in the coming week. The two countries are seeking to avoid an escalation of their tariff row, which has been ongoing for some time. Recently, Beijing announced sweeping controls on the rare earths industry, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China.
The US and China have also imposed tit-for-tat port fees, with Beijing announcing “special port fees” on US ships arriving at Chinese ports, following a similar move by the US in April. The trade tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, with significant implications for the global economy.
The removal of Li Chenggang from his WTO post may be seen as a significant development in the ongoing trade negotiations between China and the US. As the two countries prepare for another round of talks, the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching consequences for global trade and the economy.