BEIJING, CHINA – US Ambassador to the Peoples’ Republic of China Terry Branstad and his family have arrived in China and met with the press at his official residence Wednesday, June 28. His wife Christine, daughter Alison and her husband Jerry Costa, and granddaughters have joined him in Beijing.
During the media event he said: “We recognize this is an important relationship between the two greatest economic powers in the world, the United States and the People’s Republic of China. We need to work together to deal with some of the pressing difficult issues, such as the threat from North Korea. We want to work together to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. We also want to work together on issues like expanding trade that will continue to increase economic opportunities for the people of China, as well as to increase jobs and economic opportunities for the people of the United States of America.”
Ambassador Branstad was also warmly greeted by the Embassy team on Tuesday and said: “I am excited to be here… I want to say how honored and proud I am to be selected by President Trump to represent the United States of America here in the Peoples’ Republic of China…You all know that this relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. And I want to do everything that I can to try to increase the collaboration and cooperation between our two countries, to address some of the big challenges like the threat from North Korea and also to improve economic opportunities in both of our countries and to reduce the trade deficit…I want to go to every province and really meet the people of this great country, and let them know that we are their friends, and we want to work with the people of China for a better world.”
In advance of his arrival, Ambassador Branstad, who was sworn in on May 24, recorded a video message for the Chinese people, here.
“Terry is a true legend,” said U.S. President Donald Trump in Iowa on June 21 with Ambassador Branstad. “The people of Iowa first made him governor in 1983…Under Terry, Iowa’s economy is stronger, its farmers more successful, its schools better, its communities more prosperous, and its citizens safer… His legacy will endure for a long, long time in this state.” President Trump expressed gratitude for the work Ambassador Branstad did as governor, saying, “Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much. And have a good time in China.”
During his first term as governor, Ambassador Branstad signed the formal agreement establishing the sister-state relationship between Iowa and China’s Hebei province in 1983. He visited Hebei for the first time in 1984 and hosted President Xi Jinping, then a county-level party leader, for his first visit to Iowa the following year, in 1985. During the six trade missions he led to China as Iowa Governor, Ambassador Branstad saw first-hand the importance of a positive and healthy U.S.-China trade relationship.
Ambassador Branstad noted on June 21 that, “For a farm kid from Iowa, my life’s ambition was to serve the people as governor. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that President Trump would ask me to represent all of the United States of America in China. I will do my very best… I am honored and proud to represent the United States of America and President Trump in the People’s Republic of China.”
Ambassador Branstad is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University.
By the way, his nurse went with him. North Korea had better pay attention Bransad will tell Chinese pres we won’t put up with that idiot leader in n Korea and we all should stop buying Chinese crap to protest. Hit them in the wallet
How’s he gonna put one foot in front of the other without his nurse, Kim Reynolds propping him up every step of the way. His medical condition is a serious limitation and he is not up to the task.
Chinese can have him