Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad tapped to be Trump’s ambassador to China

“I’m really excited about the quality of people that he’s attracting to the cabinet”, Mr Branstad said. “So, for everyone who is anxious about Trump’s comments on China, Branstad might literally be the one person who has the ability to get the ear of the president there-and the president here-and broker some changes in the relationship”. “We’re very honored and very proud to have the president of China call us old friends”, Branstad told China Daily in the interview. She would then hold the Governor’s office until Branstad’s term ends in early 2019.

After the phone call began to draw attention and criticism, Trump’s aides told reporters the phone call was long-planned and an intentional move meant to put pressure on China as part of an overall shift in strategy in dealing with the country, which has always been a US economic antagonist. During her six years as lieutenant governor, she has focused on economic development and education.

Northey says he encourages Republicans to back Reynolds and ensure her election in 2018.

Durham spoke in a phone call from New York City, where she got a flavor of the hullabaloo surrounding multiple reports that Branstad would step down after 22 years as governor, a record tenure for any US governor.

Trump addressed China directly, referring when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Iowa in 1985 on an agricultural research trip when Branstad was first elected governor and before Xi rose in the party’s ranks.

And Branstad has differences of his own with Trump.

She called Branstad her “mentor and friend”.

Branstad has experience working with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and has reportedly developed a friendship with him.

Brenna Bird, who serves on the State Central Committee for the Republican Party of Iowa and has known Reynolds for almost 20 years, said Reynolds has worked hard to get to this point.

In an increasingly tense worldwide climate, China experts say that recognizing the mutual benefits of the US-China relationship is key for both powers.

The longest-serving governor in USA history, Branstad has extensive ties to China and a close friendship with the Chinese President Xi Jinping that goes back decades.

The possible pick had been circulating for weeks, but Jason Miller, spokesman for Trump’s transition team, confirmed it on Wednesday morning.

The senate must first confirm the nomination after Trump’s inauguration. A contingent of Trump’s top advisers gathered for the meeting with Branstad, including Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon, Donald Trump Jr. and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to two people familiar with the matter. During the campaign, Trump has repeatedly expressed negative views of China’s trade and monetary practices, pledging to designate the country as a currency manipulator after taking offce.

Iowa has been making some changes, with Joni Ernst being the first woman to represent Iowa in the United States Congress to more recently, the announcement Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will take Governor Branstad’s place. And though he never rescinded his endorsement, Branstad freely criticized Trump during some of his most controversial episodes, such as when he mocked Sen.