Earlier today, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and First Lady Casey DeSantis met with the Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and discussed the Sunshine State’s mutual interests with the East Asian powerhouse.
According to the DeSantis press release, PM Kishida and Gov. DeSantis met previously at the Southeastern United States – Japan Conference (SEUS Japan) in November of 2022. Today’s meeting looked to expand upon the “strategic partnership based on shared values of democracy, human rights and a belief in the free market economy.”
“Japan has been a strong trade partner with Florida and I believe that we can work together to create even more opportunities for the future,” said Gov. DeSantis. “I was happy to meet with the Prime Minister and his team to build on discussions we had during the SEUS Japan Conference in Florida. I look forward to continuing our prosperous business relationship.”
Moreover, Japan is Florida’s third largest trade partner with an annual trade surpassing $7.7 billion, according to the release. It is also home to over 200 Japanese firms which have provided billions in investments towards the state economy.
Talks of potential direct flights to and from Japan were also a part of the meeting prior.
In November during the SEUS Japan Conference, DeSantis reiterated his commitment to fighting against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has continued to “demonstrate aggression and belligerence to other nations in East Asia and the Pacific.”
Also, DeSantis in the past has been very clear concerning his thoughts regarding the CCP.
In January, he stated, "American policymakers for a generation have been empowering the CCP. They said it would end up working out, China would become a democracy." Despite these efforts, China "is a very serious threat to our country. Why would we want them to have even more influence over American society than they already do?"
Moreover, Gov. DeSantis addressed China’s response to the protests in their country in November surrounding the “zero-COVID” policy.
“This zero-COVID policy is draconian. It violates people’s liberties. And it is completely unscientific, and the people of China are right to be able to speak out and protest against what the Chinese Communist Party is doing. This CCP has a maniacal desire to exert total control over its population, zero-COVID is really just the pretext for them to do what they want to do anyways, and that is not a model that can work over the long term,” DeSantis stated.
Should Governor DeSantis make a run for the White House, he would be expected to make an announcement in early May.
