Can China ‘firefighter’ Wang Qishan break the trade deadlock with US?

© Ginasanders

Amid rising trade tensions between China and the US, a beacon of hope has emerged. The South China Morning Post reports businesspeople and foreign diplomats alike are expecting China’s former anti-graft tsar, Wang Qishan, to play a “key role” in de-escalating the concerns. Mr Wang is expected to be appointed as the country’s new vice president on Saturday. Many see his appointment as increasing the scope of VP from a largely ceremonial position to one with real power. This is based on the premise that Mr Wang was pivotal in tackling the last major crisis affecting the regime, namely corruption.