Gov. Rauner begins Asian trade mission

Posted on September 7, 2017
Gov. Bruce Rauner makes his first overseas trip in office this weekend. (WJBC file photo)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner is heading to Japan and China this weekend for an overseas trade mission.

The trip will continue through the 17th with the goal of strengthening relationships with both countries. The governor also hopes the trip will lead to more jobs in Illinois.

“We are undertaking a major trip with business leaders and government leaders in Japan and China,” Governor Rauner said. “Japan and China are already strong economic partners for the people of Illinois. I have strong personal relationships with leaders in those countries, and I look forward to the trip.”

It is the governor’s first overseas trip since he took office.

“I’ve been traveling around the country for the last couple of years recruiting companies,” Rauner said. “We went out to Seattle to help bring Amazon. I think overall we’ve added well over 100,000 jobs since I became governor, but we should be growing at triple or quadruple that rate. That’s what I’m going to try to accelerate in the coming months, and that’s the reason for the trip to Asia.”

The mission will include stops in Tokyo, Shanghai and more. The mission starts in Tokyo with the Midwest USA Japan Conference.

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