May 26, 2017

US cattlemen said the new ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, was the right person to facilitate the re-entry of US beef to the Chinese market.

Branstad, a former governor of Iowa state, was recently confirmed by the US Senate.

"As the six-term governor of a state with more than $10 billion in annual agricultural exports, Terry Branstad is an ideal person to help facilitate the US beef industry's return to the Chinese market for the first time in 13-plus years", said Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Ambassador Branstad has said that he intends to promote American-produced beef in Beijing. Uden said America's cattle producers look forward to working with him to make this "a reality as soon as possible."

Mike Cline, president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, also said: "Ambassador Branstad has been a great friend to Iowa cattlemen and the agriculture industry as governor of Iowa. He has shown a great commitment to the growth of beef and other agricultural exports, and we look forward to the work he will do on behalf of all Americans in his new capacity as Ambassador to China."

Recently the US and China reached an agreement that will allow US beef to re-enter the Chinese market after more than 13 years.