Gov. Phil Murphy said he intends to continue to make economic mission trips throughout his final year in office — with return visits to Israel and India almost certain to occur.
But Murphy, speaking to BINJE from Dubai before returning home to New Jersey following a weeklong trip to three Gulf Arab States (Saudi Arabia, Bharain and the United Arab Emirates), said a trip to Mexico also is highly likely.
Canada and Mexico are the two nations that have the highest trade connections to the state. Murphy, who made an economic mission trip to Canada last fall, has repeatedly stressed his desire to go to Mexico, too.
“We have not put dates on Mexico, but we have every intention to get to Mexico before we hang up our cleats,” he said.
The connection between New Jersey and Mexico is strong.
Mexico does approximately $11 million in trade with New Jersey — and Mexicans represent the largest percentage of the state’s Hispanic population, which is more than 20% of the state.
Those are just two of the reasons why the American Mexican Regional Chamber of Commerce launched last month — and an office of the Mexican Consulate opened in New Brunswick two years ago.
Murphy said the current state of international relations also makes him want to pay a visit.
“I think Canada and Mexico are one and two, respectively, in trade, which is why tariffs, if they’re blanketly put on those two countries, are so concerning,” he said.
The most recent trip marked Murphy’s 13th as governor. He — and representatives from Choose New Jersey and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority — have been to Israel and India the most. And for good reason, Murphy said.
“It’s where we have an overwhelming backlog of potential jobs and investment,” he said.
