Governors are their states’ chief economic ambassadors, touting the unique advantages their states offer to businesses, and advocating a host of policies – from education to infrastructure to energy to tax benefits – designed to attract job creators.
At the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit, almost a dozen Governors made their case to international companies and economic development organizations. From the main stage and throughout the exhibit hall and meeting rooms, Governors highlighted their states and made connections to bring international investment to the United States.
Even before the event wrapped up, Governors had new investments to announce:
Brazil-based CBC Global Ammunition joined NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to announce a planned $300 million investment for a new facility in Oklahoma.
Alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Canada’s Aqua Action announced a new Detroit headquarters.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham unveiled a global business accelerator program. In its first round, the NMexus Center is set to welcome $400 million in investments from 7+ global firms to create around 1,500 jobs.
Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón made a joint announcement with Dot Ai about the company’s plans to expand to Puerto Rico with a $15 million investment in a new facility expected to create 200 jobs.
In panel discussions, Governors explored the ins and outs of investment opportunities with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and other advanced technology. Governors advocated for the successful passage and enactment of the bipartisan Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022. The law provided a total of $280 billion in federal funding to encourage the construction of semiconductor facilities in the United States, boost science and technology research, address anti-competitive trade practices and promote STEM education and workforce training. In a session focused on AI investments, Governors underscored the opportunities, and the stakes:
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore: “We think it’s important for our states to be on the front edge of [artificial intelligence technology] … We have to look at it from an offensive perspective, about the things that we can uniquely benefit from.”
- Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy: “AI is radically changing everything. It’s causing businesses to become more efficient … these efficiencies are going to result in better approaches, better products, better services.”
Trade Missions
The SelectUSA Investment Summit is billed as a one-stop-shop allowing Governors to talk investment opportunities with scores of international companies all under one roof. But Governors also venture overseas to pursue investment opportunities for their states, leading international trade missions to deepen trade relationships and expand investment opportunities.
Some highlights from the past year illustrate the extensive economic ties states maintain with foreign nations, and the unique role Governors play in United States trade relationships.
Asia-Pacific Region
Several Governors have traveled to Japan and surrounding nations like South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore over the past year, including Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt led a trade mission to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in December 2024. The Governor met with multiple business leaders in the critical mineral and manufacturing industries and spoke with top business leaders.
Oklahoma is home to 66 Japanese-owned companies that employ more than 3,200 Oklahomans, and Japan is Oklahoma’s 7th largest export market. “Our unbeatable energy advantage, central location and pro-business policies make Oklahoma the perfect place for manufacturing and technology businesses to set up shop,” said Governor Stitt. “We had many fruitful conversations while in Japan, and I’m looking forward to hosting new businesses in Oklahoma soon.”
While in Taiwan, Governor Stitt met with President Lai Ching-te to discuss potential areas of collaboration between Oklahoma and Taiwan in energy, critical minerals, and aerospace including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and drones. He also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo between Oklahoma and Taiwan.
“This Memorandum of Understanding between Oklahoma and Taiwan will enhance trade and investment opportunities between Oklahoma and Taiwan drone and UAS companies,” Governor Stitt stated. “The Taiwanese people share Oklahoma’s love of freedom. I look forward to working together to increase trade and investments opportunities in aerospace and energy to advance prosperity for the people of Taiwan and Oklahoma.”
North America
Mexico and Canada are the United States’ top two trading partners, accounting for almost 30% of total U.S. trade. States have extensive economic ties with our North American neighbors, as evidenced during trade missions led by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to Mexico in March 2025, and by Utah Governor Spencer Cox to Canada in April 2025.
In Mexico, Governor Pritzker highlighted the robust bilateral trade between Illinois and Mexico, which exceeded $32 billion in 2024, making Mexico Illinois’ second-largest export market, encompassing a diverse array of exports, including chemicals, agricultural products, and machinery. The growing number of Mexico-based companies in Illinois further illustrates the strong economic ties between the two regions, the Governor noted.
Joined by representatives from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and Intersect Illinois, Governor Pritzker’s delegation met with more than 100 representatives from more than 50 major Mexican companies to pitch them on bringing business to Illinois.
“With this trade mission, we have begun laying the foundation for an exciting new era of cooperation and shared prosperity for Illinois and Mexico,” said Governor Pritzker. “I’m grateful for the teams at Intersect Illinois, DCEO, and IDOA for their hard work on this successful trip and ongoing commitment to ambitious international partnerships. And to our neighbors in Mexico—thank you for your hospitality and collaboration. I look forward to seeing the impact of this work across our agriculture, business, and innovation sectors.”
“Sub-national relationships are more important than they’ve ever been before,” Governor Cox told Canadian trading partners. “We are open for business. We recognize that the economic ties between your country and our country run deep, but it is so much more than just economics — you are our closest friend, our closest ally.”
Utah is home to 112 Canadian-owned businesses that employ around 5,000 people, but the investment opportunities run both ways. The visit “focused on opening new doors for Utah businesses in Quebec and Ontario” – particularly in relation to critical minerals, artificial intelligence and financial technology. During the trip, the Governor visited Recursion Pharma’s new Canadian headquarters in Toronto to highlight the “Utah-founded biotech company now expanding into one of North America’s top innovation hubs.”
Governor Cox pledged to encourage fellow Governors to conduct trade missions in Canada. Summing up the trip, he stated: “From energy to life sciences, we explored how Utah’s strengths align with growing opportunities abroad. We also met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford to exchange ideas on energy leadership, workforce development, and economic growth — all areas where Utah is leading the way.”
Middle East
Two Governors have visited United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain so far in 2025. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy visited in April to focus on heightening collaboration between New Jersey and the United Arab Emirates in areas such as commercial gaming, digital policy, AI, and women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.
And Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited in February, marking the first time a Michigan Governor has traveled to the region. While there, the Governor met with Michigan service members at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain and held meetings intended to strengthen Michigan’s economic ties in the region, boost job creation, highlight issues facing women leaders globally, and showcase the state’s leadership in the defense and aerospace industries.
“Michigan is an international leader in defense and aerospace, and this mission builds on our work to grow these key industries and bring jobs and investments back home,” said Governor Whitmer. “By engaging with global partners in the UAE and Bahrain, we will highlight the strength of Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, engineering expertise, and cutting-edge research that drive innovation in defense and security, while showcasing why the international community should continue to expand and ‘Make It’ in Michigan.”
The goal of Governors’ trade advocacy is creating jobs and economic opportunities for their states’ residents. Each new investment has the potential to spur economic development throughout communities — bringing workforce upskilling and reskilling opportunities that represent new economic advancement opportunities for workers and their families. From attracting new businesses, to leading education and workforce initiatives to prepare workers to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow, trade is a key component of Governors’ economic leadership.
