TOPIC

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Wang Wentao

The latest news on Chinese politician Wang Wentao, including political stories and updates.

Born

May 1964

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Minister of Commerce, China

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 17, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Brics

Exclusive | In a first, Xi will miss Brics in Rio as Li leads China delegation: sources

Post learns mainland interlocutors cite his having met with Brazil’s leader twice in less than a year as a reason for absence.

25 Jun 2025 - 4:47AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Chinese and EU trade officials hold talks after von der Leyen outburst

20 Jun 2025 - 7:31PMvideocam

US-China trade war

US-China trade framework still leaves lots of work

11 Jun 2025 - 5:00PM

US-China trade war

US-China trade showdown: where do the talks stand after Day 1?

Chinese and American officials are set to begin a second day of negotiations in London, with both sides sending signals about their expectations.

10 Jun 2025 - 11:23AMvideocam

US and Chinese economic officials pose for a photo before the start of trade talks in Lancaster House in London on Monday. Photo: AFP

China exports

China export slowdown adds impetus to trade talks

The US and China start trade talks in London on Monday under the shadow of slowing Chinese exports and US hunger for rare earths.

9 Jun 2025 - 5:01PM

US-China trade war

China signals readiness on rare earth talks, approves more exports

Beijing says it is ‘willing to enhance communication’ on strategic minerals, which have taken centre stage in US-China trade negotiations.

8 Jun 2025 - 3:25PMvideocam

Sri Lanka

Will Sri Lanka and China push for FTA or just engage in economic diplomacy?

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called for a comprehensive free-trade agreement between the two countries ‘in one package’.

6 Jun 2025 - 3:40PMvideocam

A vendor selling clothes waits for customers in Colombo. Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis has exposed structural weaknesses such as its import dependency and limited capacity for value-added exports, analysts say. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

EU to China: your ‘impressive rise’ must not crush our industries

Bloc’s trade chief urges Beijing to ‘address systemic issues’ like market access barriers and critical minerals export restrictions.

6 Jun 2025 - 2:27AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU pushes China to address ‘alarming’ rare earth export controls

EU trade chief says bloc’s manufacturers have been harmed by controls on elements ‘absolutely essential for industrial production’.

5 Jun 2025 - 4:51AM

China-EU relations

China and EU schedule crunch talks to resolve economic deadlock

The two sides aim to cool rising tensions over market access, rare earths and electric cars, with both facing US tariff threats.

5 Jun 2025 - 9:02AMvideocam

China and the European Union will hold fresh trade talks later this month as they attempt to resolve the deadlock in their bilateral economic relations. Photo: Shutterstock

China trade

‘Progress’: France hopes to toast breakthrough on China’s cognac tariffs

In a blow to France, Beijing hit EU brandy with duties after the bloc targeted made-in-China EVs – but industry insiders now optimistic about resolution.

4 Jun 2025 - 6:20PMvideocam

Bottles of Cognac are stored at the Hennessy factory in Cognac, southwestern France. Photo: Reuters/File Photo

China-EU relations

‘Getting seriously worse’: EU firms sound alarm over China’s rare earth curbs

Influential European lobby group says it senses Beijing is overwhelmed with applications to export the highly sought-after minerals.

4 Jun 2025 - 7:09PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China to be frozen out of big EU medtech tenders for five years

EU members vote to exclude Chinese firms from tendering processes for five-year period.

2 Jun 2025 - 11:11PMvideocam

Asean

Opinion | This moment in US-China rivalry is Asean’s chance to remake the bloc

Between a new trade deal with China and a potential audience with Trump, Asean has a chance to be the architect of a new regional order.

1 Jun 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) and other Asean heads of government, heads of state and representatives – including Xanana Gusmao (far right), the prime minister of incoming Asean member Timor-Leste – pose for a photo at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

As US tariff threat looms, China ups ante with push for new Asean free-trade deal

In a dig at Washington, Beijing warns against tariffs as it wraps up talks with region that could face some of the world’s steepest duties.

22 May 2025 - 9:31PMvideocam

The ASEAN flag is placed alongside the flags of its member countries in Langkawi, Malaysia, January 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

‘It’s crazy’: inside Europe’s growing obsession with Chinese blind-box toys

The craze is the latest sign that Chinese brands are becoming more skilled at winning over Western consumers.

17 May 2025 - 4:00PM

US-China trade war

How Trump’s tariff chaos is bringing China’s ‘trade circle of friends’ closer

Washington’s hardline approach is likely to boost Beijing’s ties with Brazil and Latin America in general, according to analysts.

1 May 2025 - 12:22AM

US-China trade war

EU senses more leverage over Beijing as US and China wage superpower trade war

Following small win in brandy probe, Brussels hopes it will be able to push Beijing on industrial overcapacity, sources say.

11 Apr 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (left) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi hold a joint press conference in Beijing on March 27. During his trip, Barrot pressed Chinese officials to do something about tariffs on cognac imports. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU leaders plan trip to Beijing in July for summit with Xi

No date confirmed with the Chinese side as travel plan indicates serious effort to re-engage amid collapsed relationship with the US.

11 Apr 2025 - 5:38AMvideocam

US-China trade war

China seeks to strengthen EU, Asean ties as US trade war escalates

China and European Union ready to engage on thorny issues such as electric vehicle imports as Trump’s tariff plans spark concerns.

10 Apr 2025 - 8:00PM

China-EU relations

EU trade commissioner says bloc seeks to deepen cooperation with China

Maros Sefcovic, in Beijing meeting with Vice-Premier He Lifeng, signals European Union’s softening tone toward engagement with China.

28 Mar 2025 - 3:11AM

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng with European trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic are seen in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

In China, EU trade chief to play hardball after Trump tariff rebuff

EU officials experienced on China have insisted in planning meetings that no concessions should be made to Beijing.

27 Mar 2025 - 4:10PMvideocam

EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Sefcovic speaks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. Photo: Faruk Pinjo/World Economic Forum/dpa

China-EU relations

Don’t expect Trump aggression to make Europe cosy up to China: EU official

European Commission’s deputy director general for trade called idea that Trump will drive Brussels and Beijing together ‘simplistic thinking’.

24 Mar 2025 - 5:07PMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump vows direct talks with Xi, rules out Musk from China strategy

American president makes clear he does not want ‘potential war’ with Beijing as he touts his ‘great relationship’ with Chinese leader.

22 Mar 2025 - 6:58AM

Two Sessions 2025

China has ‘enough tools’ to face economic headwinds amid Trump threats

Top economic officials at marathon ‘two sessions’ press briefing signal China’s ‘unwavering’ determination to safeguard its own interests.

6 Mar 2025 - 10:37PMvideocam

China’s top finance and economic officials address the media as part of the annual ‘two sessions’, in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: AP

China-EU relations

EU trade chief plans China visit amid soaring tensions with Trump

Bilateral grievances sure to be on the agenda, although problems between Europe and US could provide space for positive discussions.

27 Feb 2025 - 8:43AMvideocam

In recent years trade ties between the EU and China have frayed, with Europe frustrated by Beijing’s unwillingness to acknowledge and address the industrial overcapacity in its system. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

China’s commerce minister raises concerns in letter to new US counterpart

Wang Wentao tells Howard Lutnick that the two countries have made substantial progress on fentanyl control.

20 Feb 2025 - 5:22PM

China-EU relations

Lu Shaye, China’s controversial ex-envoy to France, handed new role for Europe

Appointment of experienced diplomat known for abrasive style and high-profile fallouts comes at delicate time for Sino-European relations.

6 Feb 2025 - 8:45AMvideocam

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