Terry Branstad, U.S. President Donald Trump's pick for ambassador to China, testified before a Senate committee on Tuesday and promised to travel to every province in China if confirmed for the post. The nominee told U.S. lawmakers that his 32-year friendship with China's president would have its limits if he is confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China.
"Just the fact that the leader of China calls us an old friend doesn't mean that I'm going to be at all reluctant or bashful about bringing up issues where we think they've not been fair," said Branstad.
Over the years, Branstad and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met face-to-face at least six times, according to Branstad's office. As the Governor of Iowa City before, Branstad has organized numerous trade trips to China.
He pledged to advocate for intellectual property protection, hold Beijing accountable at the World Trade Organization, and stand up for U.S. steel producers, where Trump has ordered an investigation into Chinese steel and aluminum subsidies.
"I want to do everything I can to make sure we stop the unfair and illegal activities that we see from China in the steel industry," Branstad said.
As America's longest-serving state leader, Branstad told lawmakers he had resolved major differences over trade with Chinese officials in the past – increasing exports of Iowa soybeans from one third to nearly half of the state's output. He pledged to bring his earnest common-sense approach to the job of representing U.S. interests at the highest levels in Beijing.
Citing issues including protection of human rights and intellectual property rights where he believes China is "falling short," Branstad said he hoped he could be "an effective spokesman for America and challenge policies that we think are going in the wrong direction."
Beijing welcomed Branstad's nomination, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang calling him an old friend of China during a press conference. Branstad has been similarly welcomed by both parties in the U.S. Congress, and he is expected to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and installed in Beijing by as early as June.
