Branstad good choice for ambassador to China

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China is a sound decision that makes perfect sense on many levels.

Of course, there's Branstad's experience as the nation's longest-serving governor, leading a state with numerous deep economic, educational and cultural ties to China. Branstad has cultivated a long relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was a young provincial official when he met the governor 30 years ago. Branstad has led a half-dozen trade missions to China while hosting numerous Chinese officials here at home.

'That experience will serve him well as he represents America's interests and further develops a mutually beneficial relationship with Chinese leadership,” Trump said in a statement this week.

Branstad will be in a critical position to help shape the U.S. China relationship, which is entering a period of challenges and uncertainty. Trump campaigned on aggressive promises to confront China on matters of trade, cybersecurity, military expansionism and other issues, with ample threats of ripping up trade deals and imposing tariffs. While acknowledging the need to hold China accountable, we hope Branstad's nomination is a sign collaboration, negotiation and cooperation will remain active pieces of the administration's diplomatic strategy.

And that's because a healthy Chinese-American relationship is vitally important to Iowa's future. According to the U.S.-China Business Council, Iowa sold more than $2.3 billion in goods to China in 2015, second only to exports to Mexico. Crops and machinery accounted for more than $1.7 billion of that total.

China is a critical market in an Iowa export economy that supports more than 100,000 jobs, according to the International Trade Administration. The value of export goods produced in Cedar Rapids, according to the administration, topped $870 million in 2015. Iowa City contributed exports worth another $308 million.

As The Gazette's Vanessa Miller reported this week, nearly half the 8.590 international students attending state universities are from China, according to the Board of Regents.

Branstad understands that big picture, and the opportunities that have resulted from trade and cooperation. He will no doubt bring his famous work ethic to bear on the challenges facing the two nations.

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