RadioIowa- U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says Governor Terry Branstad’s long-term connection to the president of China makes Branstad a good fit to be the next U.S. Ambassador to China.
“There probably is no person in America today that’s probably better suited for that particular job than Terry Branstad because he’s tenacious, because he understands trade,” Vilsack says. Vilsack, who served eight years as Iowa’s governor, is the only member of President Obama’s cabinet who has remained in the same role for the entire duration of Obama’s presidency. Vilsack told reporters in Des Moines Wednesday morning that Branstad has the attributes that an ambassador needs.
“He’s hardworking. He cares deeply about business and agriculture. He’s a promoter and that’s what ambassadors do. They promote,” Vilsack said. “They make sure that if there are barriers or problems to getting American made products and goods into a country, they work to make a difference.” A lot patience will be required in negotiating with the Chinese, according to Vilsack.
“In the agricultural space, we’ve been conversing with our Chinese friends for quite some time about biotechnology approvals, about beef, about a series of other issues that have not been easy. We’ve made progress, but there’s more progress that needs to be made,” Vilsack said. “I can’t think of someone who would be better suited to make that case than Governor Branstad and if that’s what he wants to do and what Mrs. Branstad wants to do, I wish them nothing but the best.” Vilsack made his comments Wednesday morning in Des Moines after he received an award from the World Food Prize.
