President-elect Donald Trump has selected Terry Branstad, the Republican governor of Iowa, to serve as ambassador to China.

Branstad has a long-standing friendship with Chinese President Xi Jingping, which could help to ease tensions after Trump's controversial phone call to the president of Taiwan.

Here & Now’s Robin Young talks with NPR's Ron Elving (@NPRrelving) about Branstad’s new role, and other political stories making headlines.