China appointed a new vice minister of commerce and chief trade negotiator amid escalating tariff tensions with the U.S., according to CNBC. Analysts said the abrupt change may signal a leadership recalibration as Beijing prepares for future talks with the U.

China on Wednesday unexpectedly appointed a new trade negotiator key in any talks to resolve the escalating tariff war with the United States, replacing trade tsar Wang Shouwen with its envoy to the World Trade Organization.

China has appointed a new trade negotiator in the midst of its tariff fight with the United States as the world’s two largest economies steadily increase tariffs on each other’s goods.

The White House said Tuesday that "the ball is in China's court," as far as a trade deal with the U.S. is concerned. Meanwhile, China is t

China economic expert Lizzi Lee gives her analysis on how Beijing should navigate Trump’s trade war, and argues China’s domination of rare earth minerals production is one of its “most powerful cards” in negotiations.

China reports its economy expanded at a 5.4% annual rate in January-March, before some US tariffs took effect.