US president-elect Donald Turmp has picked Iowa governor Terry Branstad to be the next US ambassador to China. Branstad has had a good relationship with China, calling President Xi Jinping a "long-time friend" when he visited Iowa in 2012. Branstad had also met with Chinese leaders repeatedly.

During his time in office as the governor of Iowa, he established close relations with China in the fields of trade, education, medicine, and sports. The Chinese foreign ministry has expressed that Branstad is an old friend. Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said China welcomes him to play a greater role in advancing bilateral relations.