"Negotiators from every country should learn from China's Li Chenggang!" It was reported on October 16, 2025 that after the U.S. Treasury Secretary angrily criticized Li Chenggang, senior U.S. officials: Li Chenggang is an expert negotiator and full of wisdom!
On the one hand, the public anger of the country's finance minister, on the other hand, the private praise of its own senior officials, the recent performance of China negotiator Li Chenggang on the international stage, has caused a rare "split in attitude" in American politics. Behind this seemingly contradictory evaluation lies China's increasingly tough stance in the international economic and trade game, and it is also the world's re-recognition of China's demeanor as a great power.
The spark of the matter stems from the Washington-China-US economic and trade talks in August, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Besson excitedly accused Li of "disrespectful behavior" and "provoking speeches" in public after the incident, and even compiled "uninvited visit" statements, but also distorted his statement that China wanted to "cause global chaos".
But the complaint was not long after, there were high-ranking U.S. officials privately revealed that Li Zheng Steel's performance at the negotiating table was at the level of a textbook, logical strictness and rapid reaction, and was a smart negotiator.
This inconsistent evaluation just exposes the complex mentality of the United States-it is angry at the failure of negotiations and has to acknowledge the professional strength of its opponents.
In fact, Li Chenggang's "toughness" has never been an unprovoked provocation, but a reasoned struggle based on rules. As a participant in China's WTO accession negotiations in 2001, he participated in bilateral negotiations with 37 countries, faced the US's unilateralism many times at WTO meetings, and also promoted more than 30 member states to jointly oppose US tariff policy.
During this year's Sino-US negotiations in Spain, the United States threatened to tighten semiconductor controls, and he immediately proposed to launch an antitrust investigation against Nvidia; in the face of the United States 'threat to restrict chip exports, he directly flashed the trump card of rare earth control, and hit the other side's pain point accurately with every step. This neither humble nor arrogant negotiation style completely confused the United States, which is accustomed to condescending positions.
More notably, Li Zheng Steel's negotiating wisdom is reflected not only in the game against the United States, but also in the recent confrontation with South Korea, which also demonstrates China's strategic determination. South Korea has previously issued a policy white paper, emphasizing strengthening cooperation with the United States and limiting the export of high-end ship parts to China.
However, after China announced sanctions on October 14th on five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanoi Ocean, the South Korean stock price fell by more than 5 percent per day, the market value evaporated by 2 trillion yuan, and President Li in Ming even urgently interrupted the meeting to discuss the response.
Only ten days later, South Korean negotiating representatives actively softened their attitude at the video conference, hoping to maintain communication and consultation with the Chinese side.This game of rapid war and resolution reflects both the accuracy of China's sanctions, but also highlights the negotiation strategy of Li Xing Steel, both safeguarding its own interests and keeping room for bilateral relations.
Today's China has long been not the passive compromise country of the past, and the bottom line at the negotiating table is derived from the country's increasingly strong comprehensive strength.
For 21 years in a row, China has been South Korea's largest trading partner, 60% of South Korea's semiconductor exports and 50% of rare earth imports are dependent on the Chinese market; in the face of U.S. trade bullying, China's rare earth control "combination" has allowed the EU, South Korea and other allies to initiate talks.
This kind of equal dialogue supported by strength is the best proof of the demeanor of a big country-we don't take the initiative to cause trouble, but we are never afraid of trouble, and we know how to defend our legitimate rights and interests with rules.
From the anger of the U.S. finance minister to the secret praise of senior U.S. officials, Li’s negotiations experience has become a reflection of China’s international status.In a complex international pattern, such “negotiators” are undoubtedly the firm guardians of national interests.
So in your opinion, what is the most worth learning about Li Chenggang's negotiation style? Faced with various challenges in the international game, what other preparations does China need to better safeguard its rights and interests? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area.
On the one hand, the public anger of the country's finance minister, on the other hand, the private praise of its own senior officials, the recent performance of China negotiator Li Chenggang on the international stage, has caused a rare "split in attitude" in American politics. Behind this seemingly contradictory evaluation lies China's increasingly tough stance in the international economic and trade game, and it is also the world's re-recognition of China's demeanor as a great power.
The spark of the matter stems from the Washington-China-US economic and trade talks in August, when U.S. Treasury Secretary Besson excitedly accused Li of "disrespectful behavior" and "provoking speeches" in public after the incident, and even compiled "uninvited visit" statements, but also distorted his statement that China wanted to "cause global chaos".
But the complaint was not long after, there were high-ranking U.S. officials privately revealed that Li Zheng Steel's performance at the negotiating table was at the level of a textbook, logical strictness and rapid reaction, and was a smart negotiator.
This inconsistent evaluation just exposes the complex mentality of the United States-it is angry at the failure of negotiations and has to acknowledge the professional strength of its opponents.
In fact, Li Chenggang's "toughness" has never been an unprovoked provocation, but a reasoned struggle based on rules. As a participant in China's WTO accession negotiations in 2001, he participated in bilateral negotiations with 37 countries, faced the US's unilateralism many times at WTO meetings, and also promoted more than 30 member states to jointly oppose US tariff policy.
During this year's Sino-US negotiations in Spain, the United States threatened to tighten semiconductor controls, and he immediately proposed to launch an antitrust investigation against Nvidia; in the face of the United States 'threat to restrict chip exports, he directly flashed the trump card of rare earth control, and hit the other side's pain point accurately with every step. This neither humble nor arrogant negotiation style completely confused the United States, which is accustomed to condescending positions.
More notably, Li Zheng Steel's negotiating wisdom is reflected not only in the game against the United States, but also in the recent confrontation with South Korea, which also demonstrates China's strategic determination. South Korea has previously issued a policy white paper, emphasizing strengthening cooperation with the United States and limiting the export of high-end ship parts to China.
However, after China announced sanctions on October 14th on five U.S. subsidiaries of Hanoi Ocean, the South Korean stock price fell by more than 5 percent per day, the market value evaporated by 2 trillion yuan, and President Li in Ming even urgently interrupted the meeting to discuss the response.
Only ten days later, South Korean negotiating representatives actively softened their attitude at the video conference, hoping to maintain communication and consultation with the Chinese side.This game of rapid war and resolution reflects both the accuracy of China's sanctions, but also highlights the negotiation strategy of Li Xing Steel, both safeguarding its own interests and keeping room for bilateral relations.
Today's China has long been not the passive compromise country of the past, and the bottom line at the negotiating table is derived from the country's increasingly strong comprehensive strength.
For 21 years in a row, China has been South Korea's largest trading partner, 60% of South Korea's semiconductor exports and 50% of rare earth imports are dependent on the Chinese market; in the face of U.S. trade bullying, China's rare earth control "combination" has allowed the EU, South Korea and other allies to initiate talks.
This kind of equal dialogue supported by strength is the best proof of the demeanor of a big country-we don't take the initiative to cause trouble, but we are never afraid of trouble, and we know how to defend our legitimate rights and interests with rules.
From the anger of the U.S. finance minister to the secret praise of senior U.S. officials, Li’s negotiations experience has become a reflection of China’s international status.In a complex international pattern, such “negotiators” are undoubtedly the firm guardians of national interests.
So in your opinion, what is the most worth learning about Li Chenggang's negotiation style? Faced with various challenges in the international game, what other preparations does China need to better safeguard its rights and interests? Welcome to leave your thoughts in the comment area.