Fmr. Gov. Branstad a Model of 21st Century Statesmanship

Our world is on fire.

Global conflict and threats of new wars abound.

We’re in the midst of an international food crisis, with as many as 783 million people arduously struggling with chronic hunger.

Here at home, America’s adversaries have taken advantage of our open border policy, and our nation is divided, in spite of President Joe Biden's claims of being a "unifier."

All of this begs the question: "Where is American statesmanship today?"

I believe there is one American whose actions, both past and present, serve as a model for American statesmanship in the 21st century.

His name?

Terry Branstad.

He is the longest serving governor in American history, and our nation’s most effective ambassador to China.

Mr. Branstad continues to lead today as president of the World Food Prize Foundation and Chairman of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.

As the governor of Iowa, Branstad set the standard for state chief executives.

He balanced the state budget after inheriting a $90 million deficit and reduced unemployment from 8.5% to 2.5%.

He also brought tax reform to Iowans which then provided for the largest tax cut in the Hawkeye State's history.

He also served as Chairman of the National Governor’s Association.

President George W. Bush appointed him as chairman of the President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education.

Terry Branstad’s knowledge of food, agriculture and trade truly paid off big dividends when he served as the U.S. ambassador to China during the Trump administration.

The fact that President Xi Jinping had known Branstad since he traveled to Iowa in 1985 as a young Chinese official leading an agricultural delegation, didn’t hurt either.

During Branstad’s tenure, the U.S. and China signed the historic Phase-One Trade Agreement and the flow of fentanyl into the United States was stemmed.

Currently, Branstad serves as president of the World Food Prize Foundation.

The foundation builds on the vision of 1970 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr. Norman Borlaug, to improve the world’s food supply by recognizing the latest innovations that address food security, convening global leaders each year to address the latest issues in food and agriculture, and inspiring students in food security and agriculture issues.

The World Food Prize Foundation is making a real difference in addressing the global food crisis. Branstad’s leadership is key.

As if he didn’t have enough to do already, Fmr. Gov.-Branstad also serves as Chairman of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.

After returning to the U.S. after his service as ambassador to China, Branstad believed there needed to be a pro-American free enterprise organization truly representing American businesses, entrepreneurs, and job creators.

In just two short years what the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce has accomplished is nothing short of remarkable.

It has fought against big government intrusion, needless regulation and red tape imposed on American businesses. It has brought lawsuits against government overreach that threaten job creation. And thousands of businesses and entrepreneurs have joined.

Terry Branstad’s work has not gone unnoticed.

Soon, he'll participate in a "fireside chat" at Wofford College where he’ll discuss China and the world food crisis, among other topics.

Shortly thereafter, in Columbia, South Carolina, he’ll be honored by the Palmetto Promise Institute (South Carolina’s leading think tank) for his work with the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.

Our on-fire world is one existing in uncertain times and more than full of chaos.

It’s a time demanding American statesmanship at home and abroad.

Terry Branstad’s example provides a blueprint for American statesmanship in the 21st century. We can only hope that it will be followed, sooner rather than later.

Van Hipp is Chairman of American Defense International, Inc. He is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army and author of "The New Terrorism: How to Fight It and Defeat It." He is the 2018 recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Sept. 11 Garden Leadership Award for National Security. Read Van Hipp's Reports — More Here.