ABC News is reporting that President Obama intends to nominate Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the next United States Ambassador to China: President Obama Will Nominate Commerce Secretary Locke as US Ambassador to China.Secretary Locke is already a pioneer in U.S. politics as the first Chinese American to be Secretary of Commerce and the first Chinese American state governor (of Washington). If confirmed, he would be the first Chinese American Ambassador to the People's Republic of China:
"The president asked him to take this job because Locke had the experience and relationships necessary to take on this key post," a senior administration official tells ABC News. "With more than two decades of experience dealing with China, Gary Locke has forged important relationships with China's top political leadership. There is simply no one better positioned to advocate for American interests there and build on a bilateral relationship critical for the 21st century."Locke will replace outgoing Ambassador Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah, who is apparently stepping down and returning to the United States to explore a possible run for president. Against his current boss. Awkward. More here: Obama To Name Commerce Secretary Locke Ambassador To China.
The official says that "as a Pacific Rim governor and Commerce Secretary he helped lead an historic increase in trade with China. As Commerce Secretary, Locke has delivered on the president's goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years (up 17 percent in 2010), led the push for patent and export control reforms and presided over a Census count that came in 25 percent under budget – returning more than $2 billion to the Treasury."