Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a potential contender in the US presidential election next year, is to lead an international trade mission to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea this month, his office announced on Tuesday.
Youngkin’s delegation would visit Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul from April 24 to 29, the office said in the statement.
Youngkin is to “meet with the President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen [蔡英文], government officials, strategic business associations, company executives and global industry leaders to further strengthen Virginia’s economic and cultural connections,” the office said, adding that it would be Youngkin’s first trip to Asia as governor.
Photo: AFP
The statement did not elaborate on Youngkin’s meeting with Tsai.
“I’m excited to represent the Commonwealth [of Virginia] in my first trade mission to Asia that will focus on economic development opportunities, our shared priorities and national security,” Youngkin said.
“Taiwan, Japan and South Korea represent critical markets that will advance economic growth and prosperity in Virginia. In strengthening these relationships, we are not only reaffirming our commitment to our allies, but also strengthening the spirit of Virginia and America,” he added.
Virginia is home to five Taiwanese firms, 133 Japanese firms and 25 South Korean firms, the office said.
The nation is Virginia’s fourth-largest agricultural export market, behind China, Canada and Egypt, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services data showed.
Japan and South Korea ranked sixth and 12th respectively, it showed.
Youngkin, a former Carlyle Group CEO, first garnered national attention in the US when he won the 2021 gubernatorial election against his predecessor, Terry McAuliffe.
In December last year, Youngkin blocked a deal with automaker Ford to bring a battery research and manufacturing plant to an economically distressed area in south Virginia because the factory would use Chinese technology, calling it “a front of the Chinese Communist Party.”
He also warned about Chinese purchasing farmland near US military bases.
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