Branstad to become ambassador to China

CEDAR RAPIDS - Gov. Terry Branstad has agreed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China under President-elect Donald Trump.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller confirmed Wednesday morning that Branstad was offered the post and has accepted. A more formal announcement is expected when the governor joins Trump at a victory tour rally in Des Moines Thursday.

As the nation's longest-serving governor, Branstad 'has considerable public policy experience,” Miller said on the presidential transition team's daily conference call.

However, Branstad is 'also someone who has a lot of experience and a great grasp of trade issues and agriculture issues, has a tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people,” Miller added.

Trump was impressed by Branstad's command of those issues, as well as his long relationship with Chinese President Xijinping, who he met in 1985 when Xi visited Iowa as a low-level agricultural official.

'It's very clear that Gov. Terry Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldn't be prouder of this selection,” Miller said.

The selection also was based on the impression Branstad made on Trump in their various meetings, not only on the campaign trail, 'but also in their meetings after the election,” Miller said.

The governor's office had been tamping down reports Tuesday after Branstad met with Trump while in New York on a previously scheduled economic development trip.

Since Trump's Nov. 8 election victory, political observers have speculated Trump would offer the role of Chinese ambassador to Branstad, who has a long professional relationship with Xi.

At Trump's last campaign stop in Iowa before the election, in Sioux City, Trump praised Branstad as someone who could serve as Chinese ambassador.

'Terry came to my office and he was talking to me about trade, and I think there's nobody who knows more about trade than him,” Trump told the crowd in Sioux City the Sunday before the election. '(Branstad) would be a prime candidate to take care of China. He has done so well for the people of Iowa. Nobody knows it better.”

Branstad had deflected questions about serving in the Trump administration, saying that he was focused on Iowa. But he never ruled out accepting a position in the administration, saying he also loves his country.