Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is scheduled to visit Asia next week, meeting political and business leaders in Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. This development has further ignited rumors that the Republican may be contemplating a run for the presidency. Youngkin will head a state delegation during his visit, which is centered on trade and includes meetings with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, as well as various leaders and executives in Tokyo and Seoul.
Youngkin’s visit coincides with Florida Governor’s international trip
Youngkin’s trip announcement comes at the same time as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is considered former President Donald Trump’s strongest possible contender for the 2024 GOP nomination, is also planning an overseas trade mission. Governor Youngkin views his inaugural visit to Asia as an opportunity to bolster Virginia’s supply chains in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries.
Youngkin’s international trip prompts questions about his political aspirations
The six-day international visit, which begins Monday, has raised questions regarding Youngkin’s presidential ambitions. In response to inquiries about his political plans, Youngkin stated that he is entirely focused on his current role, saying, “I have a great job and I am very focused on doing it well.” When asked about his chances of running for the presidency in 2024, he declined to give a definitive answer, stating that true or false questions are “a fool’s errand.” He added that he is “100% focused on Virginia’s general assembly races in 2023.”
Possible Republican contenders for the 2024 presidential race
Youngkin, who turned Virginia red with his gubernatorial win in 2021, is one of several Republicans being considered as potential contenders in the 2024 presidential race, alongside former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. As of now, Trump is deemed the clear frontrunner among declared GOP candidates, with DeSantis being his strongest competition. DeSantis is expected to announce his presidential intentions following the conclusion of his state’s current legislative session in May.
In the midst of this, DeSantis revealed that he too would embark on an international trip next week, visiting Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom. The Florida governor’s prominence in the Republican Party has grown due to his involvement in high-profile disputes on controversial issues. However, he has faced recent backlash from the media due to his comments on Ukraine, Trump’s indictment, and an ongoing feud with Disney.
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