Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a member of the Republican party, is embarking on her inaugural international trade mission since assuming office earlier this year. Sanders has expressed her intentions to visit Europe, specifically attending the prestigious Paris Air Show, where she aims to engage with prominent figures in the aerospace industry. Additionally, she plans to hold meetings with business executives from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, advocating for increased investments in the state of Arkansas. Accompanying her on this trade mission will be Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald and Clint O’Neal, the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, as announced in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the governor’s office, the planned meetings during Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ trade mission include executives from prominent companies such as Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Raytheon. Additionally, her itinerary includes meetings in Cologne, Germany, as stated by her office.
Aerospace and defense play a significant role in Arkansas’ economy, constituting approximately 20% of the state’s exports, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was the first to report the specifics of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ trip on Wednesday. The exact cost of the trip is not yet available, and the state will provide a breakdown of expenses after the governor’s return.
In a statement, Sanders expressed her belief that it is an opportune moment for the global community to discover what the residents of Arkansas already recognize: the state is an excellent place to invest and establish a home.
Governor Sanders, previously serving as the press secretary for former President Donald Trump, assumed office as governor in January.
