Governor Spanberger Returns from International Trade Mission to the United Kingdom, Italy, and France

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today concluded her week-long international economic trade mission to the United Kingdom, Italy, and France, where she met with global business leaders to strengthen Virginia's trade relationships and position the Commonwealth for future investment. The Governor was joined throughout the mission by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, and representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

"Virginia competes on a global stage, and this week, we made our case directly to the leaders deciding where to invest and grow," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "At every stop and in every meeting, the message was the same: Virginia has the workforce, the infrastructure, and the partnership mindset that serious, long-term investors are looking for. In six months, we have already brought more than $5 billion in new business investment and more than 3,000 new jobs to communities across the Commonwealth. This mission was about strengthening the connections that will keep that momentum going."

Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, who participated in portions of the mission, echoed the Governor's focus on building durable relationships with international companies.

"These conversations don't end when we get back to Richmond," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "Every meeting we had this week plants a seed, and our job now is to follow through and make sure that when these companies are ready to make a decision, Virginia is the easy and trusted choice. That kind of follow-through is part of what makes Virginia a top state for business and a place where world-class companies continue to invest."

The Governor also used the mission to advance Virginia's agricultural and forestry trade relationships abroad, building on the effort to develop the Commonwealth's first-ever Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan, which the Governor launched last month to create a strategic roadmap for strengthening these industries.

"Agriculture and forestry are Virginia's number one and number three private industries, and our farmers and foresters compete in a global marketplace," said Governor Spanberger. "That's why, at every opportunity, I made the case for Virginia farm and forest products directly to the people who decide what ends up on shelves and in supply chains. Just as we are building a strategic roadmap for these industries at home through our Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan, we are just as strategic about opening doors for our producers abroad."

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier joined the Governor for portions of the mission focused on expanding export markets for Virginia's agricultural and forest products.

"Access to international markets is essential for our agriculture and forestry industries," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "The discussions we had and the relationships built during this week are critical to the promotion and global visibility of the incredible products that the Commonwealth has to offer. I look forward to continuing the work as we return home to solidify Virginia as a leader in the global marketplace for agricultural and forest products."

Throughout the mission, the Governor and delegation had the opportunity to cultivate government relationships, including meeting with Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) President Massimiliano Fedriga while in Italy. During the meeting, Governor Spanberger and President Fedriga committed to building upon the 2025 MOU between FVG and Virginia by working together in the areas of forestry, wine research, and cultural exchanges. This partnership began with a 2025 MOU between FVG and Virginia.

While in Paris, the Governor also hosted a Virginia Reception to showcase the Commonwealth as a premier destination for trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, food & beverage, and innovation. More than 50 attendees - including representation from French and Virginia companies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and France's Ministry of Agriculture - enjoyed Virginia products like award-winning wine from Michael Shaps Wineworks of Charlottesville and Virginia smoked scallops supplied by the Wanchese Fish Company of Suffolk. Governor Spanberger delivered remarks highlighting Virginia as a top destination for tourism, business, and agricultural partnerships.

This is the first international trade mission of the Spanberger administration and reflects the Governor's broader focus on economic growth since taking office, including more than $20 million in GO Virginia funding, the reopening of the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program for producers affected by Hurricane Helene, and Virginia's recent rise to #3 in CNBC's "America's Top States for Business" rankings.

"This was a productive trade mission with long-term goals for Virginia," said Governor Spanberger. "We continue to do the steady work of building relationships and promoting our Commonwealth because that's how we turn a good meeting today into a valuable investment in Virginia and our workforce a year or two from now. That's how we keep building a stronger, more affordable Virginia for every family."

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