Max Baucus was the 11th U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, sworn in by President Barack Obama. His tenure was marked by a substantial increase in trade between the two countries and he is widely regarded as a leading expert in the bilateral relationship. In politics, he was a Senator for over 35 years, making him the longest-serving representative in Montana history. He presided as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Joint Committee on Taxation.