China unexpectedly appoints new trade negotiator amid US tariff war

China on Wednesday unexpectedly appointed a new trade negotiator key in any talks to resolve the escalating tariff war with the US, replacing veteran trade tsar Wang Shouwen with its envoy to the World Trade Organisation.

Li Chenggang, 58, a former assistant commerce minister during the first administration of US President Donald Trump, takes over from Wang, 59, the human resources and social security ministry said in a statement.

It was unclear if Wang, who assumed the No. 2 role at the commerce ministry in 2022...