Gov. DeSantis sets off to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and U.K. to expand trade relations

Next week, the  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, will embark on a tour to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom, which are among the state's top trading and investing partners in the southern United States

The statement announcing the tour did not specify the dates DeSantis will be in each country, except that he will begin his visit to Israel on April 27.

Throughout his tour, the Republican governor, who sources say will announce his presidential candidacy for the 2024 elections in May, will meet with business executives and high-level government officials in all four countries.

"Our state has worked to create partnerships with other countries to generate jobs and boost the economy," said the governor. "This trade mission will give us the opportunity to strengthen economic relationships and continue demonstrating Florida's position as an economic leader."

DeSantis is expected to travel with his wife, Casey DeSantis, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, and Commerce Secretary Laura DiBella.

In Japan, DeSantis will meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and executives from Tokyo-based companies. Japan is the sixth largest foreign investor in Florida, with over 200 companies.

After Japan, the delegation will travel to South Korea, where DeSantis will meet with Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Trade between Florida and South Korea exceeds $1.3 billion, making it the seventh largest bilateral trading partner of Florida in the Asia and Middle East region.

On Thursday, April 27, the delegation will travel to Israel, where the governor will deliver the opening speech at an event commemorating the country's 75th anniversary. DeSantis and his entourage will meet with Israeli government leaders and companies that have invested or are interested in investing in Florida.

Bilateral trade between Florida and Israel reached $651 million in 2022 and has grown by 65% in the last 5 years.

Finally, the delegation will travel to London to meet with business executives with significant investments in Florida and with U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

The U.K. is the largest foreign investor in Florida, with over $18 billion, and an important trading partner, with an exchange that reached $5.8 billion in 2022. More than 350 British companies with a presence in the southern US state employ 67,000 Floridians, and in 2022, more than 1.1 million people visited Florida from the U.K.