The governor of Iowa was selected to be the U.S.'s ambassador to China. Governor Terry Branstad pledged to discuss issues on trade and human rights during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Branstad pledged that he will be more aggressive in dealing with China and urge the Asian superpower to convince North Korea to diffuse their nuclear weapons.
The governor also said that Chinese President Xi Jinping is an old friend and the two met in 1985 when Xi was still a local official. Xi led a delegation of Chinese officials to study the agricultural production in Iowa.
"As an old friend, I'd tell him where he's falling short," Branstad said.
He was asked by the senate committee about his plans on developing relations with China. The governor said that he was willing to meet with dissidents and will welcome them in the U.S.
Branstad intends to visit every province in China as he did when he visited every county in Iowa.
On the issue of North Korea, he said, "They are the ones who have the potential to influence the regime in North Korea more than anyone else."
He added, "It is probably the most pressing issue we have right now."
The politician also said that the weapons being developed by North Korea are a "threat to all humankind."
According to Harry Krejsa, an Asia-Pacific Security specialist at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, the selection of Branstad for the position is appropriate because the governor is "well-versed in international economics."
He said, "The governor from Iowa has his work cut out for him."
"If he manages to help steer American policy away from a deadly confrontation with Pyongyang while maintaining a productive relationship with Beijing, Trump will have a powerful argument for why he does not need traditional Washington talent," Kresja added.