NEWSMAKER: 'Unhinged' or savvy? Meet Li Chenggang, who leads China’s trade talks with the US

BEIJING/GENEVA/WASHINGTON – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent once described China’s lead trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, as “unhinged” after a breach of diplomatic protocol just before a critical summit in October. At the time, Bessent painted a picture of an erratic bureaucrat who had “gone rogue.”

Yet, sources familiar with Li describe a very different figure: a chain-smoking, porcelain-collecting career diplomat with deep knowledge of trade law, fluent English, and the rare ability to combine charm with delivering Beijing’s tough messages.

After playing a key role in stabilizing U.S.-China trade relations in 2025, Li is poised to lead further negotiations this year. U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in visiting China in April and hosting President Xi Jinping for a state visit later in 2026.

More than a dozen diplomats, business leaders, and current and former U.S. officials described Li as smart, pragmatic, and commanding—a negotiator with a sharp edge who helps China achieve its goals.

Commanding Presence in Negotiations

Trade officials and Western diplomats who have interacted with Li in recent months say he commands attention in any room. One American business figure praised his “executive presence,” contrasting it with the stereotypical Chinese bureaucrat: stoic, script-bound, and rigid.

Li is well-prepared and deeply knowledgeable about both China’s economic structure and U.S. trade priorities. A former U.S. official who negotiated with him on an Obama-era investment deal called him a “rising star.”

Between April and October, Li guided months of stop-start negotiations across European capitals—from Geneva to Stockholm to London—addressing issues such as rare earth export controls, U.S. agricultural purchases, and semiconductor access. These discussions affect $660 billion in annual bilateral trade.

The October talks produced a tentative truce that remains in place today. China agreed to defer broad controls on rare earth exports for a year and committed to purchasing 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans by March.

“Li’s near-term priority is to maintain the bilateral trade truce and create a positive environment for Trump’s visit to China,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society, a New York-based think tank.

Public Rebuff and Diplomatic Tensions

Ahead of the October summit, Li drew a public rebuke from Bessent when he attempted to meet with senior U.S. officials above his rank and “lectured” them on China’s position. One American businessperson briefed on the exchanges said Li “read the riot act” to his counterparts, conveying China’s demands to get talks back on track.

Ranking just below the commerce minister, Li is China’s No. 2 commerce official. Vice Premier He Lifeng remains Xi Jinping’s point person for the U.S.-China economic relationship and is Bessent’s senior counterpart.

Bessent publicly called Li “very disrespectful” and said he threatened that China would “unleash chaos” on the global economy if the U.S. imposed port-entry fees on Chinese vessels. Despite tensions, Li and Bessent later regrouped at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, where they hammered out a framework agreement that deferred tariffs and expanded export controls on rare earths.

A Diplomat with a Passion for Art

Born in rural Anhui province, Li studied law at Peking University and Germany’s University of Hamburg. He rose through the Ministry of Commerce, including a stint running the treaty and law department from 2010 to 2017. In his current role, he oversees export controls and anti-dumping investigations to protect China’s trade interests.

During his time as China’s WTO representative in Geneva from 2021 to 2025, Li was known for hosting dinners and networking with fellow ambassadors. He also developed a passion for collecting Chinese porcelain, often scouring Swiss flea markets to identify pieces by dynasty.

Norway’s WTO ambassador, Petter Olberg, called Li “extremely well-liked and respected” and praised his thoughtful approach to negotiations.

Balancing Tact and Toughness

Li’s diplomatic style combines subtlety with rigor. At the WTO, he pushed for landmark agreements like the Investment Facilitation for Development deal, advocating China’s role in reshaping multilateral trade while carefully navigating tensions from U.S. tariffs.

“Li is someone who skillfully deploys legal instruments in the trade war,” said Henry Gao, associate law professor at Singapore Management University.

Observers believe China’s trade team under Li’s leadership is stronger, more cohesive, and empowered to implement directives from Beijing. U.S. counterparts, by contrast, often need final approval from the president before committing to agreements.

With his experience, intelligence, and tactical skill, Li Chenggang is expected to remain a leading figure in U.S.-China trade negotiations for years to come.

-Editing by Antoni Slodkowski and Thomas Derpinghaus/Reuters