China Removes Top WTO Trade Envoy Amid US Trade Tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping has formally removed Li Chenggang from his posts as China's permanent representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, as part of a routine diplomatic reshuffle. Li, who also serves as a senior trade negotiator and deputy minister of commerce, remains China's international trade representative despite his dismissal from these positions. His removal comes amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China, including recent U.S. tariffs and Beijing's export controls on rare earth metals. The dismissal follows public criticism by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described Li as "unhinged" and "slightly unbalanced" after a contentious August meeting in Washington where Li reportedly threatened to "unleash chaos" over U.S. port fees on Chinese ships. While China characterized the removal as routine personnel rotation, the timing amid heightened trade conflict and Bessent's remarks highlights underlying diplomatic strains. Both countries have agreed to continue trade talks in an effort to prevent further escalation of their dispute.