China on Wednesday unexpectedly appointed a new trade negotiator key in any talks to resolve the escalating tariff war with the U.S., replacing veteran trade tsar Wang Shouwen with the Chinese envoy to the World Trade Organization.

The economy grew steadily from January through March, but U.S. tariffs pose a risk for China in the coming weeks and months.

China’s leader started a week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia to signal China’s commitment to global trade after U.S. President Trump upended the global economy.