Branstad’s back

Even in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic pressures amassed from the trade war before a deal was made earlier this year, Terry Branstad, the former Iowa governor and U.S. ambassador to China, said there are opportunities for the United States and China to work together.

“We’re the two biggest economies in the world, and if we can work together on things like we did on the phase one trade agreement, I think it benefits the entire world,” Branstad told Newton News after speaking to local Republicans Thursday afternoon on behalf of the Sen. Joni Ernst campaign.

The United States and China are “two, big countries” with “very different systems” of government, so there is always going to be some type of conflict, Branstad added. Both countries and their respective economies suffered during the trade war, but making a deal was a good first step.

According to Branstad, the phase one deal is “making a real difference” for the American farmers who had been facing financial struggles and has been “getting more fairness” for American manufacturing. Branstad also noted the crackdown on fentanyl as another benefit from the U.S.-China relationship.

“The Chinese agreed to make all precursors of fentanyl controlled substances, and I think that’s going to save a lot of lives in this country, because we’ve got a lot of deaths caused by fentanyl that have come from China,” Branstad said.

Indeed, an unclassified intelligence report from the Drug Enforcement Administration in January 2020 says Mexico and China are the primary source countries for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the United States. India, too, is emerging as another source, the report says.

Human rights record & China’s response to coronavirus

Still, Branstad said the United States is "very disappointed" with China's human rights record, particularly their mistreatment of the Uighurs, a minority ethnic group native to northwest China. PBS News Hour's Bryan Wood reported the Chinese government expanded detention camps to suppress Uighur people.

Other news outlets like The Guardian reported Uighur children have been left without their parents. Reuters printed a quote from U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien saying what China is perpetrating "something close to" genocide with its treatment of Uighur and other minority Muslim groups.

Branstad, who returned to Iowa about a month ago, also criticized China for recently passing a law that he said takes away “the rights and freedoms of the people in Hong Kong.” Between Branstad’s comments and the current headlines about China, the United States’ relationship is certainly complicated.

When asked if President Donald Trump calling the novel coronavirus the “China virus” hurts the U.S.-China trade agreement, Branstad said, “The fact is: the virus started in Wuhan, China.” The former Iowa governor added the Chinese government suppressed its knowledge about the virus.

“Had they taken early action I think could have prevented from becoming a worldwide pandemic,” Branstad said. “And this is what the president is very upset about. And I understand. He (Trump) actually trusted that President Xi (Jinping) was telling him the truth.”

Branstad clarified he's not saying Xi lied, rather that "they, from a local level" were so scared of retaliation from the national level in Beijing that they suppressed the information from their own leadership until it got out of hand." By then, the novel coronavirus had already spread across the globe.

Campaigning for Ernst & Intercept investigation

Since his name is not on any ballots this year, Branstad is instead campaigning for Ernst, who is in what critics have called a tight race against Democrat Theresa Greenfield.

Ernst is in Washington, D.C., serving on the judiciary committee to confirm Amy Coney Barrett into the Supreme Court, Branstad told KNIA/KRLS radio's Bob Leonard. He also thinks Ernst is "brilliant" and is proud of her for doing her job. Then Branstad pivoted to the Democratic Party.

“I think it’s just unconscionable that Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are flooding this state with nasty, negative ads attacking Joni Ernst, attacking Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks just because they — the East Coast and West Coast liberals — want to run Iowa,” Branstad said.

The same day Branstad visited Newton, The Intercept published an investigative report about the former governor's son, Eric. The article's contents made comparisons to the corrupt business allegations lobbed at Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Branstad said it's a "bunch of baloney."

He added, “I am about the most ethical and honest that you’ll have ever met, and this is just how tragic it is: Democrats make these kind of accusations against people like Joni Ernst, Mariannette Miller-Meeks or about me and my family — it’s just because they’re so power hungry.

“…I’m just a poor farm kid who has had the great honor of serving the people of Iowa and now serving the United States. These accusations are just ridiculous.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com