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DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds is planning a July reunion with her former boss, U.S. Ambass- ador Terry Branstad — in China.

Reynolds announced Tuesday she will lead an Iowa agriculture trade mission to China from July 19 until July 28. Traveling with her will be officials from commodity groups representing Iowa’s corn, soybean, pork, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries — marking the first time all of Iowa’s major farm groups have participated in a joint trade mission.

The mission is timed to coincide with Branstad’s arrival and installment as America’s ambassador to China. Branstad’s new position in the Trump administration was rooted in his personal friendship with China’s president, and Reynold’s hopes Iowa can “cultivate and maximize” the relationship by promoting more exports to China.

“There is no better time than now to market and pitch our products in China,” said Reynolds. “Our relationship with the country is strong, and their growing middle class means increasing purchasing power, and Iowa stands to gain significantly as a result.”

Reynolds will be making her sixth trip to China. The goal is to expand markets for Iowa’s agricultural products, especially beef.