The longest serving governor in the country will be drawing on his agricultural trade experience and 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China.

During his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad was asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more U.S. chickens to China.

“We’d like our chickens to go to China,” said Sen. Coons. “China is unfairly restricting U.S. chicken exports…If they’re going to join the world community through the WTO, they need to play by the rules.”

Branstad agreed that China needs to have “a fair and open market” to all commodities. “We do sell them a lot of pork, but beef is presently restricted as well…and I think there’s more opportunity for dairy,” said Branstad. “When it comes to agriculture products, this is an area that I’ve had a lot of experience in.”

The governor said he hopes to use his unique position as an “old friend” of President Xi and a trusted confidant of President Trump to positively influence the U.S.-China relationship.

Listen to Branstad and Coons here: Iowa Gov. Branstad confirmation hearing with Sen. Coons