China Turns to New Commerce Minister as U.S. Tensions Simmer

Wang Wentao has the investor-friendly background that one might expect from China’s next commerce minister. But it’s political credentials that might be key to his success amid increasing hostility with the U.S.

Wang, 56, has held top positions in a number of provincial capitals across China, and was most recently governor of northeast Heilongjiang province for more than two years. He replaces Zhong Shan, who has reached the retirement age of 65 for ministerial-level officials.

A philosophy graduate, Wang spent 16 years working at an aerospace training institute in Shanghai, experience that makes him a defense technocrat with “unquestionable ...