WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Sen. David Perdue as ambassador to China, just as the U.S. and China are locked in a tariff showdown that threatens to redefine diplomatic relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Former Republican Sen. David Perdue was confirmed in a 67-29 vote. Fifty-one Republicans, including Utah GOP Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis — voted in favor of the onetime Georgia senator, as did 15 Democrats and one independent.

The former Georgia senator, who has declared that Beijing is “at war” with America, is now tasked with easing U.S.-China tensions.