Perdue, a 75-year-old multi-millionaire business executive, served as a Republican senator for Georgia from 2015 to 2021 -- but failed in a bid for governor of the state in 2022.

He is expected to play a key role in managing the relationship between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies.

A Trump ally, he backed the former president's false claims regarding alleged fraud in the 2020 presidential election, which the billionaire Republican lost to Joe Biden.

A special grand jury had recommended indicting Perdue over those claims, but the district attorney ultimately declined to charge him in that case.

Since taking office in January, Trump has ignited a trade war with China, imposing new tariffs totaling 145 percent, in addition to sector-specific levies on products such as electric cars.

He hailed Perdue as a "loyal supporter" when he announced his pick, touting the entrepreneur's business experience as making him well-suited for the diplomatic role in Beijing.

While in the Senate, he served on the Armed Services Committee -- chairing its Sea Power subcommittee -- and on the Foreign Relations Committee.

He was one of the richest members of Congress, and one of its most active traders on the stock market while in office.

The New York Times reported in 2020 that the US Department of Justice had investigated him for possible insider trading.

Prosecutors did not bring charges in that case.