Youngkin in Japan to forge provide chains with ‘mates’

TOKYO — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, in a bid to lure extra Japanese chip makers to put money into his state, stated Thursday he hopes to forge “trusted provide chain relationships” with U.S. allies and mates to create provide chains that aren’t China-dependent.

Youngkin, thought-about a possible 2024 Republican presidential candidate, is making his first journey to Asia as governor, having earlier stopped in Taiwan. He can even journey to South Korea.

“We will lead the cost in forging this trusted provide chain relationship with nations that can contribute to the longstanding nice relationship that we now have, however add to our progress collectively … in a world the place we have to do extra with our mates,” he stated at a information convention with Micron Government Vice President Manish Bhatia and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.

They deliberate to fulfill later within the day with Japanese semiconductor executives —Youngkin hopes to draw extra chip makers to the state.

Micron, a number one semiconductor maker, is within the midst of a $3 billion enlargement of a pc chips manufacturing unit in Manassas, Virginia. It additionally has a manufacturing unit in Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s electoral constituency of Hiroshima and is the biggest overseas direct investor in Japan, stated Micron’s Bhatia.

Youngkin has adopted an more and more exhausting line towards China. He disclosed in January that he scuttled an effort by Virginia to land a big electrical car battery plant, an initiative between Ford Motor Co. and a Chinese language firm that’s establishing in Michigan as a substitute. The governor’s administration labeled the venture a “entrance” for the Chinese language Communist Social gathering that might elevate nationwide safety issues.

Youngkin stated Virginia is house to greater than 130 Japanese corporations already and he hoped to forge new partnerships significantly in semiconductors and different crucial sectors “the place our provide chains should be constructed with trusted companions.”

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris additionally met with Japanese semiconductor corporations throughout a go to in September.

“Hopefully, as we speak’s assembly will conclude extra agreements and due to this fact profit not solely the state of Virginia folks however our folks, our two nations and our safety that’s so crucial to this semiconductor house,” Emanuel stated.

Youngkin stated he additionally met with leaders in different industries akin to prescription drugs and automakers.

The governor, a former CEO of the Carlyle Group, sidestepped questions on a presidential run, saying “My focus is ensuring we advance Virginia’s financial pursuits and may forge these most trusted provide chains with our mates and allies around the globe.”

East Asia has grow to be a well-liked vacation spot for U.S. politicians angling for investments and overseas coverage expertise.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Japan earlier within the week to fulfill with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and different officers as a part of his four-nation commerce mission seen as an try by the anticipated Republican presidential candidate to enhance his diplomatic profile.

Emanuel famous a collection of visits to Japan by U.S. governors within the final yr searching for funding and stronger provide chains following the disruptions introduced on by the pandemic. Such journeys will help guarantee “that your state has trusted traders and companions that will probably be a part of that future. So that you’re not caught off guard once more,” he stated.

The visits by leaders of each events dovetail with the Biden administration’s push to construct provide chains amongst allied nations and scale back dependence on China.

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Related Press video journalist Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.