Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state agency heads are attending a private Andrea Bocelli concert in Florence, Italy, as part of a week-long trade mission. The concert, held at Palazzo Borghese, was not publicly disclosed in the itinerary. The trade mission aims to expand Florida's business ties with Italy, including a new international trade office. The delegation has engaged with Italian shipbuilders and chambers of commerce, and announced a partnership between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sapienza University of Rome. The trip is privately funded through SelectFlorida.
Canada has postponed its trade mission to India scheduled for October, amid strained relations between the two countries. The decision comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose not to hold a formal bilateral meeting with Canadian leader Justin Trudeau at the G20 summit. Tensions have been escalating due to objections over Canada's handling of recent Sikh protests, including a controversial parade float themed after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The Indian government has expressed concerns about anti-India activities in Canada, while Canada defends freedom of expression and peaceful protest. Trade negotiations between the two countries have been on and off since 2010.
Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and potential Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential race, received lackluster reviews from British business chiefs during a trade mission to the UK. DeSantis met with over 50 representatives of major UK firms and business lobbying groups, but his performance was described as "horrendous" and "low-wattage." Despite his trip being billed as an attempt to build Florida's economic relationships with the UK, Israel, South Korea, and Japan, it has been widely seen as a chance for DeSantis to present himself as a statesman on the world stage.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, on a foreign policy trip to Israel, urged the US to respect Israel's right to make its own decisions about its governance and not interfere in its internal political issues. DeSantis avoided commenting on the civil unrest that followed the proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change Israel's judicial system. He also criticized international movements to divest from Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians and praised the Trump administration's decision to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. DeSantis is expected to announce a 2024 presidential bid next month.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' global trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom is being funded by Enterprise Florida, a public-private state agency that some Republicans have been trying to eliminate. The agency has been controversial for years, with critics arguing that it unfairly picks winners and losers and gives tax breaks to big businesses that don't need them. While DeSantis' spokesperson claims that the trip is not paid for by taxpayers, documents from a previous trip show that Florida taxpayers paid about $131,000. The funding source for this trip has not been disclosed.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo as part of a four-country trade mission, where he praised Japan's efforts to strengthen its military and touted the importance of a strong US-Japan alliance. DeSantis also highlighted the potential for increased economic relations between Japan and Florida, and his wife Casey made a fashion statement in a white suit and powder-blue evening gown. The trip is seen as an attempt by DeSantis to boost his foreign policy credentials ahead of a potential 2024 presidential run.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is embarking on a trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom, which is widely seen as an attempt to bolster his foreign policy credentials ahead of an expected presidential run in 2024. DeSantis has faced criticism for his comments on the Ukraine War, but shares the stance with about half of the Republican Party's base and former President Donald Trump. The governor is also reportedly building out a foreign policy apparatus in Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is embarking on a trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom, which is widely seen as an attempt to bolster his foreign policy credentials ahead of an expected presidential run in 2024. DeSantis has faced criticism for his stance on the Ukraine War, but shares the position with about half of the Republican Party's base and former President Donald Trump. The governor is also reportedly building out a foreign policy apparatus, including bringing on a cybersecurity and intelligence expert.
