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Li Chenggang

Li Chenggang
The latest news and top stories on Li Chenggang, China’s International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of Commerce. Known for his extensive background in trade law and international trade negotiations, he has held various key roles within the Ministry of Commerce since 1989, including Assistant Minister and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization. His responsibilities involve shaping China’s trade relations and addressing disputes, as evidenced by his confirmation of the tariff truce following high-level trade negotiations in Stockholm. A Peking University and University of Hamburg alumnus, his expertise is crucial in navigating complex global trade dynamics.
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US-China trade war

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

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China stock market

Xi-Trump summit eyed for direction as Hong Kong, China stocks shaken by conflict

US-China relations

Editorial | China policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit

US-China relations

With Trump’s China trip in limbo, further trade talks loom: analysts

As the US president cites the Iran war for his delay and Paris talks see only minor progress, experts said more negotiations were likely.

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US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order regarding a task force on fraud in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photo: AP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit delay may suit China amid Iran war

Postponing Trump’s visit to Beijing could help avoid potential embarrassments linked to the Iran war and give more time to reach agreements.

US-China trade war

China and US trade talks off to a low-key start after first meeting in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing.

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Middle East

Letters | Iran’s people deserve stability, dignity and peace

Readers discuss the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran, US-Philippine military cooperation, and American criticism of a key Chinese trade negotiator.

People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on February 28. Photo: AP
E-commerce

JD.com renews on-demand delivery fight with US$2.9 billion in grocery subsidies

JD.com says the subsidies will make the ‘Billion-Yuan Supermarket’ its largest subsidised product category, surpassing electronics.

Artificial intelligence

Sweet surge: Qwen overtakes Yuanbao after Alibaba’s bubble tea campaign

More than 10 million free orders put Alibaba’s AI app in the spotlight amid a high-stakes battle for Spring Festival attention.

E-commerce

China bans e-commerce platforms from forcing lowest prices or abusing algorithms

Beijing moves to protect consumers and merchants, with new 29-article regulation tightening oversight of the fast-growing digital economy.

The new rules prohibit e-commerce operators from forcing merchants to offer discounts. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China trade war

Surviving the shocks: what China and the US learned from 2025’s trade war

Businesses and officials faced a year of disruption – and in some cases, resilience – as tariffs and export controls roiled global markets.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
E-commerce

Chinese vendors on Shein, Temu face tax changes at home and abroad

While the EU ends a duty exemption, a reform of China’s tax regime may present the bigger challenge for cross-border sellers.

SCMP Highlights

Chinese students boost US education, Trump tariffs in court: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese military preparing to cut costs to Brazil urging stronger commitments ahead of Cop30, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

US-China trade war

Chinese trade negotiator urges US to boost agricultural cooperation

Li Chenggang tells visiting US delegation that fluctuations in agricultural trade have roots in America’s imposition of unilateral tariffs.

Soybeans are loaded into a truck in Dwight, Illinois, in August. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

‘No structure to say yes’: can Chinese investment still find a home in America?

Even as Beijing pushes for an opening, US rules, local backlash and political fear keep China on the sidelines.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
US-China relations

Why Xi and Trump chose to talk in Busan, away from South Korea’s Apec events

Chinese foreign ministry confirms leaders to ‘exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest’.

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US-China relations

‘Hawkish’ interpretations rise as US, China discourse gets lost in translation

In an echo of the Cold War, mistranslations are testing already strained nerves in Washington and Beijing.

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US-China trade war

US-China framework deal only ‘first step’ towards ending trade war: analysts

Talks in Malaysia may have paved the way for a broader trade deal, but the ‘real test’ will be implementing the pledges, analysts say.

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Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pose for a photo ahead of a round of talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

US-China trade deal in sight ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Talks in Malaysia have paved the way for an accord at a presidential summit this week, with potential agreements in areas including rare earths, soybeans and tariffs.

US-China trade war

Trump and Xi’s shock tactics see trade war remain in a stalemate

Former government officials and analysts believe this is the price you pay when diplomatic negotiation fails and compromise is ignored.

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Rare earths

Outside In | Trump may be realising he has less leverage over China than he thought

The past week has provided a rare insight into the fudging and bullying that goes on behind the closed doors of high-stakes trade talks.

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Officials led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (second from left), US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (third from left), Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (second from right) and Chinese trade negotiator Li Chenggang (right) meet to discuss trade in Madrid on September 14. Photo: United States Treasury/Reuters
US-China trade war

‘Unnecessary panic’: China rebukes US officials’ comments on rare earths

Beijing defends rare earth export controls against US claims of disruption, calls on Dutch government to cease ‘interference’ with Nexperia.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called China’s rare earth export controls proof Beijing is an “unreliable partner” at a recent press conference. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

‘Dare to fight’: how China’s art of the deal reflects years of Trump dealings

Beijing fired back at Washington ahead of Trump’s executive order on TikTok last week, and analysts say it stems from hard-learned lessons.

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US-China trade war

For soybeans’ sake, cancel tariffs, China urges US as farmers grow desperate

The US should abandon its ‘unreasonable tariffs’, Ministry of Commerce says as a long-term trade agreement remains elusive after four rounds of negotiations.

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China trade

China to relinquish WTO privileges in show of support for multilateral trade

Premier Li Qiang says Beijing will not seek developing country benefits in future WTO negotiations, drawing implicit contrast with US.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang has announced concessions on negotiations held under the World Trade Organization framework. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Player or playground? Europe sidelined again as US, China cut deals on its soil

While the Europeans were not at the table in Madrid, there is a sense that they were most definitely on the menu.

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China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Madrid on Sunday, ahead of the latest round of trade talks. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China, US reach ‘framework’ on TikTok; Xi and Trump to speak on Friday

Trump says talks in Madrid went ‘VERY WELL’, with a potential deal on TikTok, but Beijing’s antitrust action against Nvidia injects a sour note.

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Yuan

China’s yuan rallies with central bank backing as worries mount over US dollar

The People’s Bank of China has nudged the yuan into a stronger position as investor concerns grow over Federal Reserve independence.

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