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He Lifeng

The latest news on Chinese economist and politician He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, including political stories and updates.

Born

Feb 1955

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Vice Premier of China

The Taco trade refers to an investment strategy that benefits from the rise in share prices after US President Donald Trump relents. Photo: EPA-EFE

US-China trade war

Taco trade? US leader challenges claim that ‘Trump always chickens out’ in talks

President touts tariff successes as Wall Street acronym for a way to profit from his fitful negotiating style makes the rounds.

30 May 2025 - 9:15AMvideocam

US-China relations

Chinese vice-premier meets US finance chiefs amid trade war charm offensive

24 May 2025 - 9:01PMvideocam

US-China relations

My Take | China counts on 3 strategies to survive US tariff and tech war

20 May 2025 - 7:35AM

US-China trade war

Opinion | With an unpredictable Trump, it’s best to be cautious over US-China trade truce

While the rollback of tariffs restores a measure of normality to global markets, the world will not return to the status quo ante.

16 May 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

Outside In | China’s message on trade deals is clear: multilateral is the only way

The choice of the Swiss city of Geneva for US-China negotiations was telling, and the breakthroughs achieved are only the start of a long process.

16 May 2025 - 5:04PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Europe warned to change fast or become a ‘shock absorber’ of US-China trade war

Continent’s outlook is bleak despite reduced Sino-American tensions as it needs to adapt quickly amid Washington’s efforts, analysts say.

16 May 2025 - 4:43PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Did China’s ‘skilled’ negotiators help break the US trade deadlock?

US officials praised the negotiating style of Chinese counterpart He Lifeng at the successful talks, where Li Chenggang made his debut.

13 May 2025 - 5:24PMvideocam

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng was praised by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after high-stakes trade talks in Switzerland. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Trump says he may speak to Xi Jinping this week following tariff agreement

‘Total reset’ in bilateral relations achieved, he adds, after weekend talks in Switzerland yield agreed reduction in tariffs for 90 days.

14 May 2025 - 12:13PMvideocam

US-China trade war

China, US reduce majority of tariffs after first round of trade talks

Beijing and Washington agreed to remove most tariffs imposed since April’s ‘Liberation Day’ package following two days of negotiations.

13 May 2025 - 10:33AMvideocam

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US-China trade war

Video | Watch: US Treasury chief Scott Bessent holds press briefing on trade talks

Two days of talks described as ‘constructive’ by China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng earlier.

15 May 2025 - 9:31AMvideocam

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer talk to the media on Sunday following talks with China in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

How US-China trade talks beat expectations and stopped the bleeding, for now

Analysts say the outlook appears more rose-tinted after weeks of tit-for-tat tariff escalations, and the implications for businesses, markets and consumers look encouraging.

12 May 2025 - 8:09PMvideocam

Vice-Premier He Lifeng speaks at a press briefing on Sunday following a high-level meeting with US representatives on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP Highlights

US-China talks in Geneva, why Indonesians are ‘flourishing’: 5 weekend reads

From China and the US’ trade talks in Geneva to why Indonesians are ‘flourishing’, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

12 May 2025 - 1:36PM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rally most in 2 months as US, China agree to cut tariffs

Beijing and Washington say they ‘have taken important steps to resolve differences through equal dialogue and consultation’.

12 May 2025 - 4:57PMvideocam

Yuan

Offshore yuan gets a lift as market awaits outcome of US-China trade talks

With both China and the US reporting ‘progress’ in their first trade talks, the offshore yuan had strengthened to 7.22 per US dollar by Monday.

12 May 2025 - 4:11PM

China’s offshore yuan has appreciated in value after progress was reported in trade talks with the US. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

US-China agree to ‘trade consultation mechanism’, conduct further talks: He Lifeng

China is ready to work with the US to manage differences and make the ‘pie of cooperation bigger’, state media quotes vice-premier as saying.

12 May 2025 - 1:47PMvideocam

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Members of the Chinese delegation leave a residence where trade talks between the US and China are taking place, in Geneva on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

E-commerce

Temu points Chinese sellers to new markets amid US tariff woes

US tariffs are prompting Chinese merchants to seek alternative markets, but some sellers remain hopeful that the worst is soon behind them.

11 May 2025 - 9:00AM

US-China trade war

Trump calls day one of crunch talks in Geneva ‘a very good meeting’

Analysts predict a wide range of outcomes for the first round of US-China dialogue, from a ‘soft deal’ to a mutually acrimonious departure.

11 May 2025 - 8:04AMvideocam

US-China relations

Editorial | Talks in Russia send message to US ahead of key China meeting

Beijing refuses to be bullied in the eagerly awaited negotiations and has pledged with Moscow to defend multilateralism and oppose hegemony.

10 May 2025 - 6:15AM

China’s President Xi Jinping arrives for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on May 8. Photo: EPA-EFE

US-China trade war

US-China trade talks in Switzerland unlikely to yield breakthrough: analysts

Instead, top officials are expected to focus on frameworks, minutiae and setting boundaries with an agreement merely to meet again.

10 May 2025 - 4:50AMvideocam

US-China trade war

Will US-UK deal improve America’s position in trade talks with China?

The first deal in Donald Trump’s trade war may carry symbolic value, but analysts said it would have a limited effect in talks with China.

9 May 2025 - 10:00PM

US-China trade war

Trump says 80% tariff on China imports ‘seems right’ ahead of high-level talks

Decision is ‘up to’ US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, American president adds, without elaborating.

9 May 2025 - 11:22PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump announces a trade deal with Britain in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

China exports

‘Surprise’: Chinese exports resilient in April despite US tariffs

Despite a drop in shipments to the US, China’s 8.1 per cent monthly increase in exports beat market expectations handily.

9 May 2025 - 4:02PM

Wind power equipment destined for export in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on April 27. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks extend best winning run in a year on tariff relief hopes

US President Donald Trump says trade talks in Switzerland could yield ‘substantive’ tariff cuts.

9 May 2025 - 4:35PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Trump announces US trade deal with Britain, suggests call with Xi for China

Agreement marks first such pact secured by American leader’s administration since launching sweeping effort to overhaul global trading system.

9 May 2025 - 1:06AMvideocam

US-China trade war

The stage is set for China-US tariff talks – but trade war far from final act

Analysts said this weekend’s dialogue in Switzerland is only prologue for an extended negotiation, as neither side wishes to give ground.

8 May 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Both China and the US are taking hardline stances in the trade war, despite upcoming talks in Switzerland. Photo: AP

China trade

‘Show sincerity’: China urges US to drop tariffs ahead of first trade talks

As top Chinese and US officials meet in Switzerland this weekend, Beijing calls on Washington to prove it is serious about negotiations.

8 May 2025 - 8:30PM

China and the US are set to have preliminary trade talks in Switzerland this weekend. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

China’s top negotiator strikes bullish tone on economy ahead of US trade talks

Vice-Premier He Lifeng said China’s economy was ‘off to a good start’ this year as he prepared for a highly anticipated meeting with US officials.

8 May 2025 - 12:24PMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump says US won’t lower tariffs on China imports to kick-start trade talks

Separately, Commerce Department says it will simplify some restrictions on the export of advanced semiconductor chips.

8 May 2025 - 11:04PMvideocam

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