WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will nominate Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the son and grandson of Chinese immigrants, to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, a senior administration official said Monday. A formal announcement could come as early as Tuesday.
If confirmed by the Senate, Locke would succeed Jon Huntsman, one of the few Republicans in Obama’s administration. Huntsman recently tendered his resignation, effective next month, and he is eyed as a potential GOP challenger to Obama in the 2012 presidential contest.
Locke is the first Chinese American to serve as commerce secretary. Both his father and grandfather were born in China.
In an interview with The Associated Press that took place before his nomination was reported, Locke touted the economic relationship he has helped to build between the U.S. and China. He said U.S. exports to China had posted a 34 percent increase last year. Obama sees boosting U.S. exports as a way to save and create jobs and has set a goal of doubling the amount of American goods sold to other countries within five years.