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# Three Questions That Explain Iowa's, and Terry Branstad's, Tie To China
- URL: https://www.investigatemidwest.org/three-questions-that-explain-iowas-and-terry-branstads-china-connection/
- Published: 2016-12-07T16:55:36.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-11T02:37:28.000Z
- Description: Iowa, and in particular, Gov. Terry Branstad, have built significant economic and diplomatic relationships with China since the 1980s. Learn more in this news quiz about Iowa-Chinese relations.
- Author: IowaWatch
- Tags: Government, iowawatch, News Quizzes, China trade, Donald Trump, Terry Branstad, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-06-18 04:56

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Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next U.S. ambassador to China and awaits confirmation hearings.

Why Branstad? Because the long-time Republican governor and Iowa have built significant economic and diplomatic relationships with China since the 1980s. He returned from a trip to the country in November.

Branstad said in a summer 2016 [IowaWatch interview](https://investigatemidwest.org/branstad-support-for-trump-boils-down-to-choice-between-his-partys-nominee-and-hillary-clinton/?ref=investigatemidwest.org) that Iowa needs to maintain trade relationships with China and get good business deals with partners in that country.

Learn more in this news quiz about Iowa-Chinese relations.

\[quiz key=”1g4VxfVf4PdPAyodFMTlUgVYw-3Td–mVtfRKVnSAHqI” answerstyle=”bullets” title=”Three questions that can help you know about this significant link” byline=”Quiz By: Jiangqi Guo/IowaWatch” source=”United States Census Bureau website; ‘China to buy $5.3B in U.S. soybeans,’ by Donnelle Eller, The Des Moines Register, Sept. 24, 2015; ‘China, Iowa sign soybean purchase for $5.3 billion,’ by Rod Boshart, The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), Sept. 24, 2015; ‘Branstad sticking by ‘old friend’ Chinese President,’ by Rod Boshart, The Gazette, Aug. 28, 2015; ‘For the Vice President of China, Tea Time in Iowa,’ Kirk Johnson, The New York Times, Feb. 15, 2012; ‘Branstad: Support For Trump Boils Down To Choice Between His Party’s Nominee And Hillary Clinton,’ by Thomas Nelson, IowaWatch.org, July 12, 2016; ‘Chinese soybean buyers agree to multi-billion-dollar purchase during Iowa visit,’ by Carrie Laughlin, Iowa Soybean Association, Sept. 24, 2015.” \]