China appointed a new international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) on Wednesday amid an unprecedented trade war with the United States.

Li, 58, has decades of experience handling international negotiations at Mofcom, and also served as China’s ambassador to the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO) from 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Peking University and a master’s degree in the economics of law from the University of Hamburg in Germany.

Though it is unclear exactly why Li has been appointed, analysts said it could be a sign that Beijing is looking to make a breakthrough in negotiations with the US over a potential deal to end the trade war.

“It might be because against the rising tensions after ‘Liberation Day’, Li might be seen as someone who could break the impasse in the negotiations,” said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior adviser to the China Center at US-based research group The Conference Board.

“Probably his experience in Geneva means that he has established linkages with key stake holders – their governments including the US.”

The appointment comes after weeks of rapid tit-for-tat tariff hikes between Beijing and Washington, with markets calling for a de-escalation of the trade conflict that could deal severe damage to the global economy.