Cybersecurity

Trump Picks Iowa Governor Branstad as China Ambassador

  • Nation’s longest-serving governor picked by president-elect
  • Branstad, China’s Xi have friendship dating back to 1985

Terry Branstad’s History With China’s Xi Jinping

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President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a longtime friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping, for Ambassador to China, the U.S.’s most important trade partner and its largest economic rival.

Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump’s presidential transition operation, confirmed the selection in a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. Branstad, a Republican, has accepted the offer, three people close to the matter said on condition of anonymity.