Global Courant 2023-04-26 11:39:15
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has held trade talks with South Korean officials in Seoul, on the second leg of his four-country tour, as Donald Trump’s possible rival tries to build his diplomatic profile ahead of a highly anticipated presidential campaign. .
Seoul, South Korea — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held trade talks with South Korean officials in Seoul on Wednesday, on the second leg of his four-country tour as Donald Trump’s possible rival tries to build his diplomatic profile ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the presidential campaign.
Leading a trade mission from Florida, DeSantis met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and expressed hope to create more jobs by facilitating South Korean trade and investment in his state, Han’s office said. Han, Seoul’s No. 2 official behind President Yoon Suk Yeol, called for stronger cooperation in industries such as aerospace and aviation, which he described as Florida’s “strengths.”
DeSantis met with Kim Dong-yeon, the governor of South Korea’s largest Gyeonggi province, earlier on Wednesday to discuss exploring partnerships in industries such as biotechnology and solar power generation, Kim’s office said.
According to DeSantis’ office, trade in goods between Florida and South Korea exceeds $1.3 billion, making Florida the country’s 7th largest bilateral trading partner in the Asia and Middle East region.
DeSantis is considered the biggest challenger to former President Trump for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential race. He is expected to announce his candidacy sometime next month.
DeSantis, who was accompanied by state officials and his wife, Casey DeSantis, began his multi-country trip in Japan, meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday and discussing bilateral and regional issues, Japan’s foreign ministry said. Following South Korea, DeSantis travels to Israel and Great Britain.
