Blimey! Has China Found a New Champion to Untangle the Trade Knots With the US?

Another One Bites the Dust! Wang Shouwen Out Li Chenggang In!

Honestly sometimes I feel like I'm back in the Room of Requirement – things are *always* changing. Word has reached my desk (yes I do have one now thank you very much) that China has appointed a new vice minister of commerce one Li Chenggang to replace Wang Shouwen. Apparently this Li fellow is now the top dog for international trade negotiations. All this right when the trade squabble between China and the U.S. is reaching Voldemort levels of nastiness. It appears that some in China believe that a fresh face might be able to 'deescalate tensions'. One can only hope he's got a Time Turner to fix this mess because Merlin knows they need it.

Did Someone Say "Abrupt and Disruptive"? Sounds Like a Niffler at Gringotts!

According to one expert (who I might add isn't nearly as knowledgeable as I am but I digress) this change is 'abrupt and potentially disruptive.' You don't say! It's like replacing Dumbledore mid term – bound to cause a stir! While Wang Shouwen gets a nod for his previous attempts to parley with the U.S. during the Trump years Li Chenggang supposedly has the 'right track record' thanks to his Ministry of Commerce experience. Let's hope his track record involves more than just pushing paper because a trade war is brewing that requires more than just bureaucratic shuffling!

The Ball's in China's Court? More Like a Bludger in a Quaffle Match!

President Trump bless his comb over wants China to make the first move towards a trade deal. 'The ball is in China's court,' declares his press secretary. Honestly it sounds like a game of Quidditch where both teams are just chucking Bludgers at each other! With Trump imposing a hefty 145% tariff on Chinese imports and China retaliating with up to 125% tariffs it's a right proper mess. At this rate trade between the two countries will come to a grinding halt and we'll all be left eating gruel and knitting our own socks!

From "Win Win" to "Uh Oh"? A Tale of Two Trade Relationships

Before this recent tariff tango Wang Shouwen (the chap who's been replaced remember?) described China U.S. relations as 'mutually beneficial and win win.' Oh the irony! It seems like someone's been hitting the firewhiskey a bit too hard! Li Chenggang our new hero was even involved in a symposium to address the worries of private companies. Let's hope he managed to conjure up some solutions because these businesses are likely feeling like they're trapped in a Devil's Snare!

A Wider Reshuffle? Sounds Like the Ministry is Having a Clearance Sale!

This change is part of a bigger reshuffle in Beijing with new leaders appointed for foreign aid and immigration. It's all terribly exciting isn't it? It's like when Fudge was ousted. One hopes these new leaders aren't as incompetent as *he* was. I wouldn't want to see China's economic future decided by someone who can't tell the difference between a Dementor and a house elf!

What Is To Be Done?

As Dumbledore once said 'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends.' Let's hope Li Chenggang has the wisdom of Rowena Ravenclaw and the courage of Godric Gryffindor to navigate these treacherous trade waters. Frankly it's going to take more than a bit of 'wingardium leviosa' to fix this one!