Long-threatened tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump have plunged the country into trade wars abroad — all while on-again, off-again new levies continue to escalate uncertainty.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead the U.S. negotiations on trade with China, an administration official said Wednesday. The confirmation, while not unexpected, signals the importance the administration is placing on the negotiations as President Donald Trump’s trade war with China begins wreaking havoc on U.