The U.S. ambassador to China, Terry Branstad, will resign ahead of November’s presidential election as high tensions continue to beset the two countries.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday on Twitter that Branstad would be leaving the post after three years, although didn’t provide a reason for his departure.
The U.S. Embassy in China released a statement confirming Branstad’s decision to retire later Monday, adding he would leave for Iowa in early October. The statement provided no further details regarding the timing of his decision.
“I am proudest of our work in getting the Phase One trade deal and delivering tangible results for our communities back home,” Branstad said in the statement. “We have made significant progress and we will not stop pressing for more.”
The announcement followed accusations by Pompeo that Beijing was hypocritical for blocking the publication of an op-ed penned by Branstad in China’s largest state newspaper, the People’s Daily.
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