(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad will continue building Iowa's long-term relationship with China President Xi Jinping by meeting with him Monday, strengthening ties to one of the state's most important economic trading partners.
Branstad first met with Xi in the governor's formal office in 1985, when Xi was a local party leader traveling on an exchange program through the Iowa Sister States program.
"I am excited to catch up with our old friend, Xi Jinping," said Branstad. "The value of this relationship cannot be overstated. As a result, Iowa is the preferred provider to feed China's growing population and our agriculture exports to China continue to grow. This type of international trade currently supports 430,000 jobs right here in Iowa."
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