BEIJING, China - Former Iowa Republican Governor Terry Branstad is now in China, having been appointed to be ambassador to the country by President Donald Trump in 2017.
He's been working on COVID-19 relief after the pandemic began in China's Hubei Province in the city of Wuhan late last year.
Most recently, Branstad says he has appointed a task force to get personal protective equipment and medical equipment sent back to America. "We've already had four planeloads that we've sent from China to the United States," said Branstad. "Such a critical need for that to save American lives."
The native of Leland, Iowa is also working on a trade deal as ambassador. He says he's responsible for monitoring China response to the deal President Trump signed with China in January. "So far, the good news is the Chinese are following through and meeting the deadlines and making the agriculture purchases that they've promised," Branstad said. "So far, so good."
The deal was intended to open Chinese markets to more American companies, increase farm and energy exports and protect American technology and trade secrets.
Branstad worked with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on the pact. The trade deal was sought by the Trump administration after tariffs imposed imposed by President Trump led to a standoff and retaliatory tariffs from China against the U.S.
Branstad is watching the COVID-19 outbreak play out in America. He says he's proud of the way Iowans are following guidelines to wash hands and keep social distance. "Having been governor during the farm crisis of the 80's, we went through that difficult time, and I had a sign on my desk that said 'tough times never last, but tough people do'. I feel the same way about what we're going through now."
The Iowa governor says Chinese people have been very compliant with requirements there to stay at home.
Brabstad noted he's working with a skeleton crew in China because 65 percent of his staff returned to the U.S. under voluntary departure.
(Branstad was a guest with Van Hardin on WHO Radio)