Gary Locke, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, is expected to replace outgoing Ambassador to China Jon Hunstman, according to various media reports.
Huntsman, a Republican, is leaving his position in late April, presumably to launch a Presidential campaign against Barack Obama.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk is rumored to be the frontrunner for Locke’s current position.
Locke was tapped in the early days of the Obama administration after the original nominee for the post, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, withdrew himself from consideration. He is the first Chinese-American to head the Commerce Department.