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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

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Swiss President Guy Parmelin clinched the FTA expansion deal in talks in Bern on Thursday. Photo: Handout

China trade

China and Switzerland have a new trade agreement. What does it mean for the EU?

The move, seen by analysts as a signal to the EU, will eventually double duty-free coverage included in 12-year-old free-trade agreement.

24 Aug 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Sino-German auto talks focus on smart EV standards amid trade tensions

31 Jul 2026 - 5:23PM

China's economic recovery

China’s Politburo pledges policy support, spending to counteract sluggish growth

30 Jul 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU signals emergency import curbs after dramatic growth in Chinese trade gap

Brussels looking at ‘case-by-case’ tariffs and quotas after the trade surplus expands by almost a quarter in the first half of the year.

14 Jul 2026 - 9:18PMvideocam

The EU recently imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese tyres. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

Wang Wentao meets Sjoerd Sjoerdsma amid ASML export limits and Nexperia debacle, with calls for secure chip supply chains and broader EU-China market access.

8 Jul 2026 - 9:00PM

The Netherlands

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

7 Jul 2026 - 11:39AM

China-EU relations

China-EU progress, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit

This week: China signals openness to cutting EU trade gap, President Xi hails Communist Party’s ‘significant global influence’ and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Nato summit takes place in Turkey, US moves towards new tariffs, Kung Fu Soccer may hit the screens, and more.

3 Jul 2026 - 5:02PM

China-EU relations

Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Beijing floats buying more European goods as the EU weighs new trade tools and presses for tangible progress by October.

3 Jul 2026 - 5:11AM

China-EU relations

European firms ‘becoming more reliant on China, not less’: EU chamber chief

Jens Eskelund tells conference in Berlin that Beijing can raise costs of confrontation beyond what other side is willing to bear.

6 Jul 2026 - 5:28PM

China-UK relations

UK trade secretary hosts Chinese delegation in bid to boost services

Peter Kyle and China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will launch an initiative to support UK businesses expanding their exports into China.

1 Jul 2026 - 6:27AM

Britain’s Trade Secretary Peter Kyle outside 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

EU seeks ‘tangible results’ on China trade deficit by October

Hopes of progress in paring the EU’s trade deficit with China by autumn will mean overcoming some seemingly insurmountable barriers.

30 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

China-EU joint statement on trade

China and the European Union issued a rare joint statement confirming the launch of a ministerial-level platform to ease bilateral economic tensions.

30 Jun 2026 - 2:47PM

China-EU relations

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

30 Jun 2026 - 2:12AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU confronts ‘China shock’ ahead of pivotal Brussels trade talks

There is a growing sense Europe will have to learn to ‘live with’ Beijing’s economic model, which it accuses of undercutting its industries.

29 Jun 2026 - 3:07PMvideocam

Volkswagen is reportedly considering cutting 100,000 jobs in the face of fierce competition from China. Photo: Reuters

US-China tech war

Tech giant ASML joins China trade trip even amid US risk to sales

Europe’s most valuable company is seeking to boost sales in China while its home government works to fend off tougher export controls from the US.

25 Jun 2026 - 5:10PM

Part of an EUV chip-making machine produced by ASML. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source

The Netherlands has protested Washington’s proposed Match Act, which would further curtail its semiconductor firms’ business in China.

24 Jun 2026 - 5:32PM

China-EU relations

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

19 Jun 2026 - 7:23PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why Europe’s fight against a ‘China shock 2.0’ could end before it even begins

Brussels currently lacks the firepower to win a trade clash with China – and Beijing is not in a mood to make concessions, analysts warn.

17 Jun 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Outside In | Europe blaming China for trade imbalance ignores its own policy failures

How are Beijing’s successful industrial policies any different from those used by Europe, the US or the ‘Asian tigers’ in the past?

5 Jun 2026 - 6:25PMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

5 Jun 2026 - 12:06AM

China-EU relations

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:01PM

China trade

Why China is defending industrial subsidies against ‘one-sided’ OECD report

The dispute comes as industrial policy becomes a major point of contention in global trade, particularly in hi-tech and strategic sectors.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, answers questions from journalists. Photo: dpa

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

3 Jun 2026 - 8:55PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

30 May 2026 - 1:06AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

28 May 2026 - 5:00PM

Cars made by Chinese automaker BYD on display at a show in Munich, Germany. Photo: Xinhua

China trade

Exclusive | China’s date with Dutch trade minister on cards for early July: source

The Netherlands’ trade chief and his delegation will come at a pivotal diplomatic moment, as The Hague faces pressure from US tech-export laws.

27 May 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

The Netherlands’ trade minister, Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, is expected to visit Beijing and Shanghai soon. Photo: EPA

China-EU relations

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

25 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China’s commerce chief Wang Wentao expected in Brussels on June 29-30: sources

As trade differences continue to bite between Beijing and the European Union, could a face-to-face meeting help to ease tensions?

22 May 2026 - 2:04PMvideocam

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Wang Wentao

China and Switzerland have a new trade agreement. What does it mean for the EU?

The move, seen by analysts as a signal to the EU, will eventually double duty-free coverage included in 12-year-old free-trade agreement.

Sino-German auto talks focus on smart EV standards amid trade tensions

China’s Politburo pledges policy support, spending to counteract sluggish growth

EU signals emergency import curbs after dramatic growth in Chinese trade gap

Brussels looking at ‘case-by-case’ tariffs and quotas after the trade surplus expands by almost a quarter in the first half of the year.

Beijing seeks chip stability and fair market access during Dutch trade mission

Wang Wentao meets Sjoerd Sjoerdsma amid ASML export limits and Nexperia debacle, with calls for secure chip supply chains and broader EU-China market access.

Dutch trade minister in China for high-stakes talks on tech war, tariff tensions

Minister is accompanied by representatives from 17 Dutch companies from sectors including logistics, agriculture and hi-tech.

China-EU progress, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit

This week: China signals openness to cutting EU trade gap, President Xi hails Communist Party’s ‘significant global influence’ and factory activity returns to expansion. Next week: Nato summit takes place in Turkey, US moves towards new tariffs, Kung Fu Soccer may hit the screens, and more.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Beijing floats buying more European goods as the EU weighs new trade tools and presses for tangible progress by October.

European firms ‘becoming more reliant on China, not less’: EU chamber chief

Jens Eskelund tells conference in Berlin that Beijing can raise costs of confrontation beyond what other side is willing to bear.

UK trade secretary hosts Chinese delegation in bid to boost services

Peter Kyle and China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will launch an initiative to support UK businesses expanding their exports into China.

EU seeks ‘tangible results’ on China trade deficit by October

Hopes of progress in paring the EU’s trade deficit with China by autumn will mean overcoming some seemingly insurmountable barriers.

China-EU joint statement on trade

China and the European Union issued a rare joint statement confirming the launch of a ministerial-level platform to ease bilateral economic tensions.

EU sets China October deadline for ‘tangible results’ after key trade talks

Marathon session in Brussels sees Beijing agreeing to establish a ‘joint monitoring mechanism of trade flows’ to help ease economic tensions.

EU confronts ‘China shock’ ahead of pivotal Brussels trade talks

There is a growing sense Europe will have to learn to ‘live with’ Beijing’s economic model, which it accuses of undercutting its industries.

Tech giant ASML joins China trade trip even amid US risk to sales

Europe’s most valuable company is seeking to boost sales in China while its home government works to fend off tougher export controls from the US.

Exclusive | Dutch semiconductor giants join delegation to China as US pushes curbs: source

The Netherlands has protested Washington’s proposed Match Act, which would further curtail its semiconductor firms’ business in China.

EU leaders ask Brussels to come up with new trade weapons to counter China shock

Late-night meeting ends with instruction to officials to engage with Beijing while preparing tools to defend Europe’s economy.

Why Europe’s fight against a ‘China shock 2.0’ could end before it even begins

Brussels currently lacks the firepower to win a trade clash with China – and Beijing is not in a mood to make concessions, analysts warn.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | Europe blaming China for trade imbalance ignores its own policy failures

How are Beijing’s successful industrial policies any different from those used by Europe, the US or the ‘Asian tigers’ in the past?

EU trade chief swipes at China overcapacity, but vows ‘meaningful’ discussions

Maros Sefcovic made the remarks after meeting China’s chief trade negotiator, but says both sides are focused on mutual success.

EU, China hold talks as trade war looms

China trade envoy Li Chenggang is to meet EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic to set up a platform for discussing trade and investment as Europe considers a tougher approach to stem a flood of low-cost Chinese imports.

Why China is defending industrial subsidies against ‘one-sided’ OECD report

The dispute comes as industrial policy becomes a major point of contention in global trade, particularly in hi-tech and strategic sectors.

Exclusive | EU and China set for Paris talks this week as trade war fears mount

Bloc puts ‘carrot-and-stick’ approach to test in high-stakes meeting with Beijing’s international trade envoy on sidelines of OECD meeting.

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

Exclusive | China’s date with Dutch trade minister on cards for early July: source

The Netherlands’ trade chief and his delegation will come at a pivotal diplomatic moment, as The Hague faces pressure from US tech-export laws.

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

China’s commerce chief Wang Wentao expected in Brussels on June 29-30: sources

As trade differences continue to bite between Beijing and the European Union, could a face-to-face meeting help to ease tensions?

Exclusive | China signals openness to cut gaping EU trade gap as Brussels toughens stance

Outside In | Europe blaming China for trade imbalance ignores its own policy failures