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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

Clashes between the European Union and China have grown louder in recent weeks, as the EU embarks on new policies designed to counter the shock to its industrial base. Photo: AFP

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?

5 hours agovideocam

China trade

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

21 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Rare earths

Australia to force investors with China ties to divest from rare earths company

18 May 2026 - 6:59PM

China exports

Australian trade minister to visit China to secure fuel during Iran war crunch

Beijing tightened jet fuel exports after the war broke out, forcing Canberra to seek alternative suppliers.

15 May 2026 - 6:20PMvideocam

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell attends a press conference following a meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in May 2023, in Beijing. Photo:

2026 Xi-Trump summit

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

14 May 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

US-EU relations

Netherlands opposes US proposal to further bar chip giant ASML from China market

While the chipmaking-gear giant is already banned from selling advanced kit to China, new rule would make low-end products off-limits too.

13 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity

Brussels is polling business groups ahead of commissioners’ meeting but few details of the proposed instrument have been revealed.

5 May 2026 - 5:48PMvideocam

A proposed new tool to tackle competition from China’s manufacturers is expected to be considered by EU commissioners on May 29. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

25 Apr 2026 - 5:14AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong, mainland China sign ‘milestone’ MOU on promoting digital economy

Memorandum of understanding covers topics including AI promotion, cross-boundary data flow and blockchain.

13 Apr 2026 - 12:02AM

China trade

Qiushi reaffirms China’s trade push, calls old export-led growth ‘unsustainable’

Global tensions, weak high-end exports, and record trade surpluses are spurring a strategic shift to boost imports, develop services trade and deepen market integration.

1 Apr 2026 - 8:00PM

Vehicles await export at a port in China’s Jiangsu province on March 15. A commentary in the latest issue of the Qiushi Journal says the traits of China’s economy render an export-driven growth model “unsustainable”. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:30PM

The Trump administration has initiated a series of sweeping trade investigations that could lead to fresh tariffs after the US Supreme Court struck down its previous duties. Photo: TNS

China-Germany relations

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

Two Sessions 2026

China pledges full support for tech sector with broad range of new policies

China’s top economic officials outline plans to support tech firms with stock market reforms and measures to stimulate demand.

6 Mar 2026 - 9:05PMvideocam

Employees work on a production line for electric flying cars in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. Photo: AFP

Two Sessions 2026

8 takeaways from the economic briefing at China’s ‘two sessions’

China’s top economic officials laid out their priorities for trade, technology and investment in 2026.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:57PMvideocam

China’s top economic officials answer questions at a press conference in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:18AMvideocam

China trade

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:24PMvideocam

China-South Korea relations

Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance on Japan row

Beijing is reviving stalled trade talks with Seoul as the Lee administration breaks with Tokyo on Taiwan, and analysts say Chinese market access could be the geopolitical prize.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:44AMvideocam

Members of Blackpink perform at a 2023 concert in California. Photo: Getty Images for Coachella

China-Germany relations

Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’.

9 Dec 2025 - 2:08PM

China-Germany relations

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

Critical minerals, semiconductors and other commodities dominate talks as Johann Wadephul begins trip to China aimed at addressing trade.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:38PM

China trade

Chinese minister calls for more opening-up as key planning meeting looms

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao’s remarks echo similar calls by other senior officials ahead of annual central economic work conference.

8 Dec 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called for China to push ahead with opening-up policies over the next five years. Photo: Xinhua

Semiconductors

Tensions flare as Wingtech slams chipmaker Nexperia’s head office over deception

The heightened tensions underscore the complexity in resolving the two sides’ dispute over the control of the Dutch chipmaker.

28 Nov 2025 - 10:27PM

Nexperia

China, EU shift Nexperia strategy: let the companies work it out

Wang Wentao shifts focus to the boardroom but warns the Dutch government must still scrap the executive order and court ruling fuelling the crisis.

27 Nov 2025 - 10:06PMvideocam

Semiconductors

Explainer | A timeline of the Sino-Dutch row over the control of chipmaker Nexperia

The Hague suspends use of Cold War-era law called upon to seize control of Chinese-owned Nexperia, as dispute imperils global supply chains.

21 Nov 2025 - 9:00PM

China consumption

800 million: how a new target indicates a shift in China’s economic strategy

China projects it will have 800 million people living on middle incomes in 10 years, as it pledges to ‘invest more in people’.

17 Nov 2025 - 4:12PMvideocam

Shoppers walk the streets in Beijing. China projects its middle-income population will reach 800 million within the next 10 years. Photo: EPA-EFE

US-China trade war

China patient in Nexperia row – but escalation seen as possible as talks loom

Beijing wants diplomatic solution but may take countermeasures if Dutch side refuses to budge, analysts warn.

14 Nov 2025 - 7:30PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Has Takaichi planted a Taiwan ‘time bomb’ in Tokyo’s ties with Beijing?

The Japanese prime minister’s comments about military intervention were unusually direct for such a sensitive topic.

13 Nov 2025 - 1:19PMvideocam

China trade

China pushes for trilateral trade pact with Japan, South Korea amid US tension

Divergent interests, new governments and Washington’s influence complicate Beijing’s efforts to forge deeper economic ties with Japan and South Korea.

4 Nov 2025 - 10:54AMvideocam

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Wang Wentao

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?

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

Australia to force investors with China ties to divest from rare earths company

Australian trade minister to visit China to secure fuel during Iran war crunch

Beijing tightened jet fuel exports after the war broke out, forcing Canberra to seek alternative suppliers.

The longest day – how the Xi-Trump summit reset China-US ties in 12 hours

The two leaders follow a morning of talks with a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a state banquet.

Netherlands opposes US proposal to further bar chip giant ASML from China market

While the chipmaking-gear giant is already banned from selling advanced kit to China, new rule would make low-end products off-limits too.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity

Brussels is polling business groups ahead of commissioners’ meeting but few details of the proposed instrument have been revealed.

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

Hong Kong, mainland China sign ‘milestone’ MOU on promoting digital economy

Memorandum of understanding covers topics including AI promotion, cross-boundary data flow and blockchain.

Qiushi reaffirms China’s trade push, calls old export-led growth ‘unsustainable’

Global tensions, weak high-end exports, and record trade surpluses are spurring a strategic shift to boost imports, develop services trade and deepen market integration.

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

Germany’s Merz floats EU-China trade deal as European capitals soften on Beijing

Remarks urging ‘strategic partnerships around the world’ underscore how tensions with the US are inducing a more accommodating stance.

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

China pledges full support for tech sector with broad range of new policies

China’s top economic officials outline plans to support tech firms with stock market reforms and measures to stimulate demand.

8 takeaways from the economic briefing at China’s ‘two sessions’

China’s top economic officials laid out their priorities for trade, technology and investment in 2026.

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

Blackpink for Ayumi? Why China may reward South Korea’s soft stance on Japan row

Beijing is reviving stalled trade talks with Seoul as the Lee administration breaks with Tokyo on Taiwan, and analysts say Chinese market access could be the geopolitical prize.

Hitting China with tariffs should be ‘last resort’, German foreign minister says

During two-day visit to the Chinese capital, Johann Wadephul also calls for Beijing to recognise Europe’s concerns and ‘take action’.

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

Critical minerals, semiconductors and other commodities dominate talks as Johann Wadephul begins trip to China aimed at addressing trade.

Chinese minister calls for more opening-up as key planning meeting looms

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao’s remarks echo similar calls by other senior officials ahead of annual central economic work conference.

Tensions flare as Wingtech slams chipmaker Nexperia’s head office over deception

The heightened tensions underscore the complexity in resolving the two sides’ dispute over the control of the Dutch chipmaker.

China, EU shift Nexperia strategy: let the companies work it out

Wang Wentao shifts focus to the boardroom but warns the Dutch government must still scrap the executive order and court ruling fuelling the crisis.

Explainer | A timeline of the Sino-Dutch row over the control of chipmaker Nexperia

The Hague suspends use of Cold War-era law called upon to seize control of Chinese-owned Nexperia, as dispute imperils global supply chains.

800 million: how a new target indicates a shift in China’s economic strategy

China projects it will have 800 million people living on middle incomes in 10 years, as it pledges to ‘invest more in people’.

China patient in Nexperia row – but escalation seen as possible as talks loom

Beijing wants diplomatic solution but may take countermeasures if Dutch side refuses to budge, analysts warn.

Has Takaichi planted a Taiwan ‘time bomb’ in Tokyo’s ties with Beijing?

The Japanese prime minister’s comments about military intervention were unusually direct for such a sensitive topic.

China pushes for trilateral trade pact with Japan, South Korea amid US tension

Divergent interests, new governments and Washington’s influence complicate Beijing’s efforts to forge deeper economic ties with Japan and South Korea.

Exclusive | EU sounds out industry over new trade weapon against China’s overcapacity