The Heat: Elaine Chao, Terry Branstad and US-China relations

The Heat

flags of China and the USA

She was the first Chinese-American woman to serve in a U.S. Presidential cabinet.

Now Elaine Chao is being nominated to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation. 

Tonight’s panel discusses the importance and likely effect Ms. Chao’s nomination will have:

  • Norman Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Secretary of Transportation during the Clinton and Bush Administrations.
  • Frank Wu, distinguished professor at the University of California, Hastings College of Law and the Chairman for Committee of 100.
  • Chiling Tong, founder and CEO of the International Leadership Foundation here in Washington, D.C.

President-elect Trump also nominated Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang called Branstad an “old friend.” Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Iowa in 2012, nine months before he became the Chinese leader.

The panel discusses whether these appointments will help ease trade tensions between the two countries: 

  • Victor Gao, Chinese international relations expert.
  • Brian Becker, executive director of the ANSWER Coalition.
  • Frank Wu, distinguished professor at the University of California, Hastings College of Law.

For more on the web:

Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta discusses 9/11’s impact on security