Obama to nominate Baucus for China job
<p>U.S. Sen Max Baucus works at the Plum Creek Evergreen sawmill on May 1 during one of his periodic "work days" as senator. President Barack Obama will nominate Baucus to serve as U.S. ambassador to China. </p>
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will nominate retiring Sen. Max Baucus of Montana to serve as ambassador to China.
If he’s confirmed by the Senate, Baucus will replace ambassador Gary Locke, who has announced he plans to leave the diplomatic post.
Baucus, 72, has served in the Senate since 1978. Obama says he has worked to deepen relations between the United States and China.
“The economic agreements he helped forge have created millions of American jobs and added billions of dollars to our economy, and he’s perfectly suited to build on that progress in his new role,” Obama said.
Baucus decided not to seek re-election next year.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana will get to name a replacement.
“I am humbled by the nomination and deeply honored to have the opportunity to represent the United States in China," Baucus said in a statement Friday. "The U.S.-China relationship is one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships. If confirmed, my goal will be to further strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between our two nations.