Utah Governor Defends Trade Missions, Cites Job Creation

Gov. Spencer Cox stated on Thursday that foreign trade missions benefit the average Utah resident by generating higher paying jobs and increasing state tax revenue. Cox, who concluded a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland on Wednesday, said the trips are funded primarily by the businesses that attend rather than public dollars. He emphasized that the state is careful to limit its own financial contribution to these delegations.

Cox has undertaken 16 foreign trips during his six year tenure. Each trip faces scrutiny from residents who question the value of public involvement. Cox countered that the benefits extend beyond the business community to the broader population. He pointed to Ireland's economic transformation over the past three decades as a model for the strategy. He noted that Ireland moved from being one of Europe's poorest nations to one of its richest by investing in education and policy before recruiting investment.

Jonathan Freedman, director of World Trade Center Utah, agreed that the trips serve the general public. He explained that the missions aim to grow Utah exports and attract foreign investment to the state. Freedman, who co-founded the retail chain Downeast before selling it in 2020, said the governor's presence helps open doors for small business owners. He stated that Utah's economy relies on small and medium sized businesses, which allows for agility in the face of trade disruptions.

The delegation's primary focus in Ireland was the medical tech sector. Representatives from tech, finance, and quantum industries also participated. Freedman and Cox said they follow up after each trip to quantify the downstream effects of their conversations. Cox added that every job in Utah is interrelated, meaning economic growth prevents tax increases for residents. He said the state aims to ensure that opportunities created today secure jobs for the next generation.

The trip included a visit to Northern Ireland, where the group met with officials regarding the region's unique access to the European Union and United Kingdom markets. Alastair James, head of market access at Invest NI, told the group that Northern Ireland offers unmatched market reach due to its trading partnership. In Belfast, Cox met with Speaker Edwin Poots. In Dublin, he met with former prime minister Bertie Ahern, who helped broker the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

First lady Abby Cox attended meetings with current Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Ahern. She noted that both leaders discussed the impact of social media on global politics. She expressed doubt that the Good Friday Agreement would have been possible in today's digital environment. She said face to face engagement helps build peace by allowing people to see the real culture behind the headlines.

Cox acknowledged global turmoil, including violent protests in France, Italy, and Spain, as well as the war in Ukraine. He said the U.S. is undergoing economic restructuring to reduce dependence on global supply chains. He stated that while he supports strategic protectionism, he also believes in free and fair trade. He cited a conversation with an Australian official who warned that the U.S. cannot be the arsenal of democracy if it cannot build its own arsenal.

Freedman said Utah cannot control actions in Washington but will work within the current framework. He said being proactive in countries like Ireland, which serves as an entry point to the EU for small businesses, helps Utahns find opportunities. The delegation plans to continue monitoring the relationships formed during the trip to ensure they result in tangible economic gains for the state.