Donald Trump has named Jon Huntsman, the 56-year old former missionary, as his nominee for one of the most sensitive posts in contemporary international diplomacy – US ambassador to Moscow.

If confirmed, Mr Huntsman would take over the post amid ongoing investigations into contacts between Russian officials and the Trump campaign.

The son of Jon M Huntsman, the billionaire head of global chemicals producer Huntsman Corporation, Mr Huntsman is a moderate republican who launched a failed bid for the White House in 2012.

He was a Mormon missionary in Taiwan for two years in the 1980s, and holds a BA in international politics from the University of Pennsylvania. He speaks Mandarin.