The Hill News

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. called former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) "terrifically talented" and a "great man" on Thursday.

Huntsman downplayed suggestions he has a poor relationship with Romney.

"I laugh every time I read that. That’s totally overblown," Huntsman said, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. "I understand the media likes to squeeze a drama out of every relationship, every factor of politics. But that is absolute hyperbole of the highest order."

Both men are Mormons with Utah ties. Romney is running for the GOP presidential nomination, and Huntsman is considering a bid.

Huntsman offered the comments on Thursday as Romney officially entered the 2012 presidential race.

Romney is seen as the front-runner in the race, while Huntsman is seen as an attractive candidate if he chooses to enter. The two could face similar hurdles. Huntsman's ties to the Obama administration could hurt him with conservative voters, while Romney has struggled to defend the healthcare law he signed as Massachusetts governor.