American business leaders were upbeat on the naming of a new US ambassador to China, optimistic that Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be able to use his years of related experience and relationships to improve trade relations between the world’s two largest economies. As the long-serving governor of the central US state, Branstad has a relationship with China dating back to 1985 when a Chinese delegation – including a then-31-year-old Xi Jinping – made a visit to study the state’s agricultural practices. Since then, Branstad has been a strong supporter of trade in Iowa’s agricultural goods with China, and describes Xi, now China’s president, as an “old friend.” Caixin reports US business leaders in China welcomed Branstad’s appointment by President-elect Donald Trump as a positive signal.
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