Ambassador Branstad joins the Honorable Tom Harkin as bipartisan co-chairs of the Iowa Advisory Committee, which includes over 100 state leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) announced that former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad is taking a new leadership role on the organization’s Iowa Advisory Committee. Ambassador Branstad joins former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) as bipartisan co-chairs of more than 100 leaders in the state representing non-profit, business, faith, and veteran communities—including Iowa State Senator Zach Nunn, Mayor of the City of Des Moines Frank Cownie, Kaas Employment Services owner Kathy Pearson, and Vermeer Cooperation Senior Director of International Business Development Daryl Bouwkamp.

“We are thrilled Ambassador Branstad is joining as our new co-chair of the USGLC Iowa Advisory Committee, along with Senator Tom Harkin. Together, they bring decades of expertise and experience about why leading globally matter locally to American families in Iowa and around our country,” said Liz Schrayer, USGLC President and CEO. “Ambassador Branstad’s recent experience in China is just one of many examples of his skills and talents, championing the importance of U.S. global leadership through diplomacy and development. We look forward to working with him, and the diverse leaders of our Iowa State Advisory Committee to advance America’s role in the world that impacts our health, security and economic interests every day.”

“The war in Ukraine, global food insecurity, and supply chain disruptions are the latest reminders that global issues have profound local impacts. Today, America’s investments in development and diplomacy matter more than ever to our own health, economic, and security interests,” said former Ambassador Branstad. “In my many years in public service, I worked to bring economic prosperity to Iowa with both foreign and domestic partners because I know how vital it is to ensure a more prosperous future for everyone here at home as well as those around the world. I am honored to help lead the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s efforts in Iowa and join this impressive bipartisan group of Iowa leaders in supporting U.S. diplomacy and development programs.”

As a former public official and diplomat, Ambassador Branstad has worked both domestically and internationally to bring economic prosperity and diplomatic security to our country. As the longest-serving governor in U.S. history, Branstad served as governor of Iowa from 1983 to 1999 and again from 2011 to 2017. Prior to his first term as governor, he served as Iowa’s lieutenant governor and in the Iowa House of Representatives. During his years of service in Iowa, Branstad built an important relationship with now Chinese President Xi Jinping, representing Iowa’s interests as a top agricultural exporter.

Building on his long-standing relationship with President Xi, in 2017 Branstad became the U.S. Ambassador to China under the Trump Administration. His accomplishments as ambassador include his leading role in the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal to secure $200 billion in commitments from China to purchase U.S. goods and services, enforce stricter Intellectual Property protections, and open China’s financial sector to U.S. banks and other financial services companies. He also worked with the Chinese government to label fentanyl as a controlled substance to help curb the opioid epidemic in the United States.

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