Wang Wentao, China's Commerce Minister since 2020, is in the news for talks with the US on trade relations amid global tensions and China's export controls.
The WTO's 14th ministerial in Yaounde has failed to reach agreements on key reforms, including digital trade and agricultural subsidies. Major players like the US, India, EU, and China remain divided, risking the organization's future amid global economic instability and rising protectionism.
During a WTO meeting in Cameroon, China and the US discussed the importance of trade relations, emphasizing cooperation and mutual benefits. China expressed concern over US investigations into forced labor, highlighting ongoing tensions in trade policies.
China announced new trade investigations in response to US Section 301 probes targeting Chinese policies and exports. The Chinese probes aim to safeguard domestic industries and could influence ongoing trade negotiations, with both sides signaling reciprocal measures amid a fragile trade truce.