DeSantis begins trade mission trip around the globe with meetings in Japan

The official purpose of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ trip to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom is to conduct the second “international trade mission” of his governorship. The goal: “to strengthen economic relationships.” But the journey — which also is likely to coincide with the re-election announcement of President Joe Biden — will help to distract from the headlines at home and perhaps give the governor some more foreign policy credentials.

What we’re watching

▪ Speeches and foreign ministers: The governor is traveling with his wife, Casey, as well as Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella. He first met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida,” in which he lauded bilateral ties, especially the idea of a “strong Japan.” That was to be followed by a meeting and a working dinner Monday with Foreign Affairs Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

In London, DeSantis is scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. And in Israel, he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on April 27 at an event hosted by the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem.

▪ Foreign policy fix: The trip also is seen as an attempt to recover from a political fumble a month ago when DeSantis called the war between Ukraine and Russia a “territorial dispute,” then abruptly changed his message and called Russian President Vladimir Putin “a war criminal.”

With a major book tour and an international trip underway, super PACs raising millions in funds and staff already in the four primary states, the only box left to check for the expected DeSantis presidential bid is a demonstration of his economic policy credentials.

▪ The governor’s rough patch: As DeSantis positions himself to challenge former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary, last week culminated one of the most difficult periods for the popular governor since his landslide re-election bid last November.

▪ Outflanked in DC? Trump’s campaign outmaneuvered DeSantis as the governor headed to Washington, D.C., for what was expected to be a “soft launch” of his campaign at a meeting with two dozen of his former colleagues in Congress.

Before and after the meeting, several congressional endorsements for Trump were rolled out, including seven members of the Florida GOP delegation.

This was first reported in the Miami Herald newsletter, Policy and Politics in the Sunshine State. Please subscribe here.