Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is the front-runner for the crucial post of U.S. ambassador to China.
A decision may follow meetings between Branstad and members of President-elect Donald Trump's transition team in New York in the coming week, said three people with knowledge of the matter.
The potential move to name Branstad comes at a time of heightened tensions with China after Trump abandoned almost four decades of diplomatic protocol on Friday by speaking directly with the leader of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rogue province. Trump hasn't named his choice for secretary of state, the top U.S. diplomatic post.