BEIJING (AP) — Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to China (former Iowa Governor) Terry Branstad says he will help Republicans campaigning in his native Iowa after returning home next month. Branstad also told Hong Kong’s Phoenix Television that he considers the “phase one” trade deal between China and the U.S. as the biggest achievement of his three years in China. The deal reached in January amid the ongoing tariff war between the sides represented a truce but did not address the more fundamental complaints of the American side.

Branstad, says he will campaign for President Donald Trump, Senator Joni Ernst and others purely as a volunteer.