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Trump Picks Branstad for China Ambassadorship
USAgNet - 12/08/2016

President-elect Donald Trump announced Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as his nominee to be ambassador to China.

In announcing the nomination, which Branstad has accepted, Trump's transition team touted the governor's Iowa experience and longstanding relations with Chinese officials, noting that he led a delegation to China's Hebei Province in 1984 and has led several other since.

Branstad's statement accepting the role labeled Chinese President Xi Jinping "an old friend" and touted the economic benefits of the relationship between the world's two largest economies.

"I have known President Xi Jinping for many years and consider him an old friend. I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy," Branstad said.

In a statement Brandstad said that during his 30-year friendship with President Xi Jinping, they have developed a respect and admiration for each other, their respective people and cultures.

"The United States - Chinese bilateral relationship is at a critical point. Ensuring the countries with the two largest economies and two largest militaries in the world maintain a collaborative and cooperative relationship is needed more now than ever. The President-elect understands my unique relationship to China and has asked me to serve in a way I had not previously considered." Brandstad said.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said Branstad is uniquely qualified to serve in this critically important position. Iowa and the entire nation will benefit from his leadership in China. For the Governor, public service has always been about responding to the call and putting his state and nation before his own interests and this is just another example.

"As Iowans, we will miss his steady leadership and passionate service here at home, but his leadership in China will be felt here in Iowa. His influence in this new position will not only be good for agriculture and trade, but good for America," Northey said. "The Governor leaves the state in a tremendous position thanks to his leadership over the past 6 years. With Lt. Governor Reynolds as our next Governor, Iowans can be assured that we will continue to advance the Branstad/Reynolds agenda of addressing water quality, improving education, reducing the size and scope of government, increasing family incomes and creating new jobs.

The Trump team's announcement also promised Branstad "supports President-elect Trump's mission to negotiate trade deals that put America's interests first. He will work with President-elect Trump's economic team to negotiate fair trade deals that create American jobs, increase American wages, and reduce America's trade deficit."

The language underscores the uncertainty in future U.S.-China relations, as Trump has accused China of unfair economic practices and promised to change the cross-Pacific trade relationship. It also follow a flap over Trump's phone call with Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, breaking almost four decades of silence between the country's leaders in deference to China's refusal to recognize Taiwan.

Karey Claghorn, chief operating officer of the Iowa Soybean Association said the state and U.S. agriculture could be among the many beneficiaries of Branstad's selection.


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