China on Wednesday appointed a former envoy to the World Trade Organization as its new chief trade negotiator, replacing Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, amid rising tensions in its trade conflict with the United States.

The reshuffle comes as Beijing adopts a more assertive stance in the face of escalating tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on a broad range of Chinese imports.

Before stepping down, Wang had met with foreign business executives in Beijing to reassure them about China’s economic outlook, attempting to ease concerns amid growing trade pressure.

The appointment signals a strategic shift in China’s trade negotiation team, as the country braces for further confrontation. The move follows official data showing a 27.1% year-on-year decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, marking the steepest drop since the 2008 global financial crisis.