Washington »The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday delayed the vote on Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr,, the president's pick to be ambassador to China, for one week because the paperwork is still being compiled.
The move seemed to surprise even Committee Chairman John Kerry, who after a quick business meeting said: "Didn't we do Huntsman today? I think we did it."
Turns out the vote will take place either next Tuesday and Wednesday and so far no senator has stepped up to challenge Huntsman's nomination. As a high-profile Republican governor he has the support of conservatives and as President Barack Obama's pick also has the support of liberals.
Senate leaders are still trying to get him confirmed before leaving on their usual August break.
Huntsman would play a key role in building ties with China, an emerging superpower that boasts the world's third largest economy. Obama said Monday during a high-level diplomatic meeting with Chinese officials that the two countries have a unique responsibility because of their size and might.
"The relationship between the United States and China will shape the 21st century, which makes it as important as any bilateral relationship in the world," Obama said.
That relationship has grown stronger in recent years, but serious disagreements remain. Both Huntsman and Obama have listed their goals, which include combined efforts to fight the global economic crisis, climate change and terrorism. Huntsman will also push China to reduce the trade deficit and improve the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities.
During his confirmation hearing, Huntsman described himself "as a hard-headed realist" who would not shy away from pushing American ideals even when his Chinese counterparts do not want to hear about them.
Huntsman has previously served as ambassador to Singapore and as the deputy U.S. trade representative. He spent his Mormon mission in Taiwan, speaks fluent Mandarin and has led trade delegations to China in recent years.
Huntsman and his wife Mary Kaye want to arrive in Beijing by mid-August. Of their seven children, only their two adopted daughters will live with them full time. The Huntsman's adopted Gracie Mei, 9, from China and Asha Bharati, 3, from India.
His youngest son, Will, 16, plans to split his time between Utah and Beijing so he can play high school football back in the United States.
During his confirmation hearing, Sen. James Webb, D-Va, asked Huntsman what steps he has taken to separate his substantial financial interests from his government responsibilities.
Huntsman said he went through "a rigorous accounting" process with State Department officials that rooted out any potential ties to Chinese trade. He told Webb he understood that "even the appearance" of financial ties could raise real questions.
"I believe we are ready to serve without any questions of conflicts [of interest]," he said.
According to his financial disclosure form, Huntsman's net worth is between $15 million and $70 million. That does not include any income he makes from his financial investments or the rent he receives for a home in California that he owns, which is worth at least $1 million.
Much of his money is held in holding companies created by the Huntsman family, though some of it is in trusts for each of his seven children. He also owns a relatively small amount of stock in Intel, Pfizer and Spectra Energy Corp and vacant land in Fillmore, Utah.
Of note, Huntsman has between $4 million and $20 million in securities issued by Utah-based governmental entities such as the Tooele County School District and the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency. These holdings earn him between $180,000 and $400,000 in the past year.
Much of Huntsman's money stems from his father's business success. Jon Huntsman Sr. became a billionaire with the success of Huntsman Chemical, headquartered in Salt Lake City. He gave each of his children stock in the company, which Huntsman Jr. divested when the company went public about four years ago.
If confirmed, Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert would become Utah's chief executive officer.
