WASHINGTON, DC - Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is stepping down as Ambassador to China.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced his departure in Twitter this morning, and a reason for Branstad's leaving is not yet known.
Pompeo said President Trump had chosen Branstad “because his decades long experience with China made him the best person to represent the Administration."
CNN is reporting Branstad is expected to leave Beijing before the November US Presidential election. He was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump in 2017.
Relations between the U.S. and China have deteriorated in recent years over a trade war and other disagreements.
The Chinese government announced Friday it will impose unspecified restrictions on senior U.S. diplomats inside China after Washington put similar measures in place earlier this month.
Pompeo tweeted last week that China's ruling Communist Party refused to run an opinion column written by Branstad while the Chinese ambassador to the United States “is free to publish in any U.S. media outlet.”