Trump Taps Iowa Governor To Be Ambassador To China05:12
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December 07, 2016

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad speaks to guests at the Iowa Freedom Summit on Jan. 24, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

This article is more than 2 years old.

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.

This segment aired on December 7, 2016.