As trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and China, Vice Premier He Lifeng, a longtime ally of President Xi Jinping, has emerged as a central figure in China’s economic strategy.
During a recent business forum in Beijing, leaders of major global companies had anticipated a key meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, many were notably impressed by He, who has become a powerful figure overseeing China’s vast economy.
He’s role has grown increasingly significant, particularly as U.S.-China trade relations face significant hurdles.
He Lifeng: A Key Player in China’s Trade Strategy
He Lifeng, 70, has long been a trusted ally of Xi Jinping. He now serves as the chief lieutenant overseeing China’s economic affairs. His presence has grown more noticeable, particularly as U.S.-China trade relations face significant hurdles.
On April 2, President Trump imposed steep tariffs on most Chinese goods, a move described as part of his “Liberation Day” strategy. Since then, He has taken center stage as the face of China’s trade response. Reports indicate that any resolution to the tariff dispute will likely go through He, who holds the role of the Chinese government’s key trade negotiator with the U.S.
According to a U.S. businessperson familiar with the meetings, He has evolved over the past year. Once perceived as a rigid Communist Party bureaucrat, He now shows more confidence and flexibility in discussions with foreign executives. These improvements in his style have made him an effective and dependable interlocutor in China’s trade efforts.
A Growing Presence on the Global Stage
He Lifeng’s approach to trade negotiations has earned him a reputation for getting things done. Over the past year, he’s met with foreign officials and business leaders in over 60 engagements, a significant increase from previous years.
His role is crucial in China’s economic outreach to the West. He is heavily involved in negotiations aimed at addressing the trade deficit between the U.S. and China, which now stands at nearly $300 billion.
Despite this, He is not seen as a major policy innovator. Experts note that He tends to focus on defending China’s traditional economic policies, including its export-led growth strategy. In meetings with foreign investors, he has defended China’s trade surplus, a topic that remains a sensitive issue in negotiations with the U.S. and other countries.
Trade Negotiations: He at the Forefront
Li Chenggang, who has recently been appointed China’s chief trade negotiator, will handle the day-to-day details of trade talks. However, it is He who will oversee the broader strategic direction of negotiations. He’s experience in macroeconomic planning and industrial policy places him in a strong position to lead these high-level discussions.
The vice premier’s primary role will likely focus on maintaining China’s trade surplus, a crucial element of Beijing’s economic policies. As one expert put it, it is unlikely that He will significantly alter China’s stance on this issue, as it is closely tied to the country’s economic and job growth strategies.
Challenges in He Lifeng’s Career
He’s background in domestic economic policy means that his experience on the global stage has been a learning curve. While he holds a Ph.D. in economics from Xiamen University, his earlier career was focused on local economic administration rather than international negotiations.
Foreign executives who met with He in his early days as Vice Premier found him somewhat underwhelming. However, as He has gained more experience, his ability to articulate China’s economic strategies and respond to foreign concerns has improved. He now presents a more polished and confident figure, especially in meetings with Western business leaders.
A Reformer or a Status Quo Defender?
Despite his growing reputation among foreign business executives, many experts believe He remains a defender of China’s current economic policies. His previous roles in China’s government have largely focused on industrial policy and economic growth, areas where he has shown a strong commitment to maintaining the status quo.
He has been instrumental in overseeing China’s outreach to developed markets, including Japan and the European Union. Next month, he will travel to Paris to discuss China’s trade relations with France, including the potential lifting of tariffs on French cognac imports.
A Longtime Ally of Xi Jinping
He Lifeng’s career has been closely tied to President Xi Jinping’s rise to power. The two have worked together since the 1990s, and He’s loyalty to Xi is unquestioned. He rose through the ranks of the Chinese bureaucracy in his native Fujian province, where Xi also began his political career.
While He’s track record as a “demolisher” of old infrastructure projects in Tianjin has earned him some notoriety, his focus on economic growth has been a hallmark of his political life. Experts believe He’s loyalty to Xi’s directives has shaped his approach to both domestic and international policy.
