The long-serving former governor who became a diplomat proved that during Thursday morning remarks to Fort Dodge area Republicans in which he cited a positive budget report, while also offering some insights into relations between the United States and China.

He added that a recent series of newly completed trade agreements with China, Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Japan ”will make a real difference for our economy here in the state of Iowa.”

Branstad spoke to about 30 people at Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub during a campaign event for state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge.

Meyer is seeking her second term in House District 9, which includes Badger, Clare, Duncombe, Fort Dodge, Vincent and rural areas of northern Webster County. She is being challenged by Democrat Charles Clayton, of Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, speaks Thursday morning at Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub during a campaign event for state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge.

Branstad brought with him a summary of a report from the bipartisan Council of State Governments entitled ”COVID-19: Fiscal Impact on the States and Strategies for Recovery.” That report, he said, lists Iowa as one of the top two states in position to weather the pandemic from a budget perspective.

The council, he said, rated Iowa as one of the states best positioned to do so because of its low risk and high resiliency. Utah is the other state that the council recognized as tops in those categories.

Iowa has a $305 million budget surplus, according to the former governor.

”That is a very good reason why we need to keep Republican majorities in the Legislature working with Gov. Kim Reynolds,” Branstad said.

Reflecting on his tenure as ambassador, Branstad said the United States now has a ”fair and reciprocal trade agreement” with China. He said because of what is called the Phase One agreement, China is already buying record amounts of American farm products.

He said he was assured by an official in Beijing before he left China, that ”the Chinese do intend to abide by the commitments they made in the Phase One trade agreement.”

Branstad acknowledged that the United States and China disagree on a lot of issues.

”It’s important that we do what we can to point out those things that the Chinese are doing that we strongly object to, but also try to work out agreements with them on trade,” he said.