China appoints a new trading messenger before the tariff shock

China unexpectedly appointed a new trade messenger, as officials stated that the practice of the United States “tariff barriers and trade” has a serious impact on the world economic order.

La Chenggg, former Assistant Minister of Commerce and WTO Ambassador, assumes the post of Minister Vice -Veterans Conversator Van Shaven.

The change comes when Beijing refuses to retreat in the escalation of the trade war with Washington, caused by the healthy tariffs of US President Donald Trump through Chinese goods.

And already the sluggish economy of China has attracted an impact on the key source of income – exports.

On Wednesday, Beijing announced that GDP increased by 5.4%since January and March, compared to the same period earlier.

The figure exceeded expectations, but reflects the period before the US tariffs jumped from 10% to 145%, and Chinese officials warned of more economical pain.

While Washington and Beijing have stated that they were open to the negotiations yet.

If this happens, Lee, 58, will play a key role. Earlier, he held the post of Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Nations in Geneva and held several key jobs in the Ministry of Commerce.

Speaking to Reuters, one expert said that the change of jobs “very dramatically and potentially devastating”, given the current trade tension – adding that Van also had experience with us after Trump’s first administration.

“It is possible that, according to China’s top leadership, given how tension continues to increase, they need anyone else to break a dead end … And finally start negotiations,” said Alfred Mantasu-Heel, a senior adviser to the Chinese Council Council.

However, another analyst who spoke to Reuters suggested that this step could be a “ordinary promotion” that had just occurred in a particularly tense period of time.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the Deputy Commissioner of the National Statistics Bureau (NBS) Shan Lain warned that the buildings would pressure the foreign trade and the China economy, but added that China’s economy should be resilted and should improve in the long run.

“We firmly oppose the practice of tariffs in the US and the bullying of trade,” Shan said.

“This violates the economic laws and principles of the World Trade Organization, has a serious impact on the global economic order and entails the restoration of the global economy.”

In the editorial office of the state news China daily this week, the socket called the US behavior as “moody and devastating”, adding that it should “stop whims to fall victim to global trade.”

“The United States does not break anyone … Faster … (this) free to drive a globalization train,” the editorial staff said.

GDP figures in Beijing won the expectations of analysts for the first quarter – hesitated about 5.1%.

The growth of the second largest economy in the world was emphasized by strong retail sales and promising factory products.

But the US tariffs in China have only soared in recent weeks. Trump lifted them up to 145% earlier last week, and Beijing avenged, raising US goods up to 125%.

Thus, part of the expansion may come down to factories seeking supplies to defeat Trump’s tariffs – a concept called “front load”.

Analysts say China’s exports will be abolished in March in the coming months when the tariffs are full.

China’s ownership decrease is also still reaching for growth. In the first three months of 2025, real estate investments decreased by almost 10% compared to the same period last year.

New housing prices were also unchanged compared to the previous month – a sign that there are too many empty houses and lacking people who buy them.

Officials said there are many places to stimulate measures, and many tools they can use to strengthen the economy and deploy additional support measures.

But it will be especially important for China to increase domestic demand and spend this year when the tariffs in Washington get into the decisive export sector of Beijing.