Trump taps China-friendly governor for ambassador to Beijing

December 08, 2016 00:15

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who has longstanding ties to China's president, to serve as ambassador to Beijing, a spokesman confirmed.

Trump announced his selection of Branstad -- an early supporter of the Republican billionaire during his campaign -- at a fundraising breakfast in New York, Jason Miller told reporters.

The transition team said the governor had accepted the position, chosen for his experience in public policy, expertise on trade issues and "tremendous understanding of China and Chinese people."

Branstad has "considerable public policy experience," a "great grasp" of trade and agriculture issues, and "very much impressed the president-elect," Miller told reporters.

"It is very clear that Governor Branstad is someone who will represent our country well on the world stage and we couldn't be prouder of this selection," he added.

Bloomberg first reported news of the nomination, citing anonymous people close to the matter.

The Iowa governor had met with the Republican billionaire earlier on Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York. Afterward, Branstad, 70, declined to comment on whether he had been offered a job, telling reporters only that he was excited about a Trump presidency and the "quality of the people that he's attracting to the cabinet."

Branstad has known Chinese President Xi Jinping since 1985, when Xi visited Iowa as a provincial official, Bloomberg reported.

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