Trump tariffs: China, Japan ready trade negotiators

• China has appointed a new international trade envoy as Beijing pushes back against Trump's 145% tariffs
• Japan's chief trade negotiator was visiting Washington for talks
• The White House says "the ball is in China's court", as Trump accuses Beijing of "reneging" on a deal to purchase Boeing jets

Here are the latest developments global developments regarding the Trump tariffs on Wednesday, April 16:

04/16/2025April 16, 2025

China appoints new trade envoy in commerce ministry shake up

China has named Li Chenggang to replace Wang Shouwen as its top international trade negotiator, amid an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies over Donald Trump's tariffs.

Wang, who has also served as the vice minister of commerce, was involved in negotiations for a trade deal between China and the US in 2020.

Li Chineggang, whose most recent role was as China's envoy to the World Trade Organization, had previously served as an assistant commerce minister during Trump's first term in the White House. 

The surprise announcement comes as Beijing pushes back against Trump's 145% tariffs on Chinese goods.

Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, announced on April 2, caused turmoil in global markets before the White House abruptly backed down last week, announcing a 90-day pause for all countries — except China. 

Beijing has responded to Trump's tariffs with levies of 125% on US goods. 

President Xi Jinping and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao are currently on a tour of Southeast Asia, where many countries are facing the threat of Trump's tariffs.

"We can only speculate as to why this happened at this precise moment; but it might be that in the view of China's top leadership, given how tensions have continued escalating, they need someone else to break the impasse in with both countries find themselves and finally start negotiating," Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior advisor to the Conference Board's China Center, told Reuters.

04/16/2025April 16, 2025

Japan trade chief heads to Washington for tariff talks

Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister and chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is visiting Washington this week for tariff talks with senior White House officials.

Akazawa is due to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later on Wednesday.

Ahead of the trip, Akazawa told reporters that he was confident that the two countries — who have been close allies since World War II — would be "able to build a relationship of trust and conduct good negotiations that will lead to a win-win relationship."

While Trump last week paused a 24% tariff on Japanese goods, Japan, like most countries, is still facing a "universal" 10% levy on exports to the US as well as a 25% duty on cars, steel and aluminum imports.

While Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the tariffs situation as "a national crisis," he told parliament on Monday that his government would not be retaliating against Washington, saying the measures would only further harm Japan's economy and national interests. 
 

04/16/2025April 16, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Karl Sexton | Zac Crellin

China has appointed Li Chenggang to replace Wang Shouwen as its international trade envoy, as Beijing continues to weigh up its response to the massive tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa will be in Washington this week for discussions with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Tokyo is hoping to "build a relationship of trust" and convince Washington to drop 24% duties.

Meanwhile, the White House has said "the ball is in China's court" and that it "needs to make a deal with us", after Trump accused Beijing of reneging on a deal to buy Boeing jets and parts.