Former Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Sworn in as Ambassador to China

August 2, 2011

On July 27, 2011, the Senate unanimously confirmed former Commerce Department Secretary Gary Locke as the next U.S. ambassador to China, replacing Jon Huntsman who left the post last May. Ambassador Locke formally resigned his post at the Department of Commerce and was sworn in as the Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on August 1, 2011. In addition to serving as Secretary of Commerce for the past 28 months, Ambassador Locke formerly served as the Governor of Washington State.

President Obama has nominated John Bryson to be the next Commerce Secretary. Bryson, however, faces an uphill nomination battle, including a formal hold placed on the nomination by Senator James Inhofe (R-OK). Dr. Rebecca M. Blank, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Commerce Department, will serve as Acting Commerce Secretary.