Records show Whitmer’s eight-day South Korea, Taiwan trip cost about $205K

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spent about $204,941 on an eight-day September trip to South Korea and Taiwan, according to documents Michigan Capitol Confidential obtained through a records request.

The trip itinerary shows 16 unredacted names and several redacted names, meaning it’s unclear how many persons went on the trip, which took place from Sept. 11 -19.

“Michigan is competing on the global stage, and the best way to win is to build relationships and make sure companies know what we bring to the table,” Whitmer said in a press release issued by her office. “In South Korea and Taiwan, we deepened our relationships with companies already creating good-paying jobs in Michigan, and showed others considering where to make their next investment why our state is the best place to build the future. These new partnerships in shipbuilding, robotics, chips, and other industries will shape our economy for decades to come.”

The South Korea trip guest list shows Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter; Whitmer’s chief of staff, Zachary Pohl; Michigan National Guard Adjutant General Paul Rogers; Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin Messer Jr.; ITC Michigan President Charles Marshall II; Henry Ford Health System Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer Marc Corriveau; Whitmer’s deputy chief of staff, Terry Krinvic; Col. John Gutierrez (ret.), Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation; MEDC Managing Director of Global Business Attraction Rachel Donaldson; MEDC Investment Director, Korea, Sean Blakely; MEDC Deputy Investment Director, Korea, Sungji Moon; MEDC Chief of Protocol Katelyn Wilcox; MEDC Strategic Attraction Director and Cyber Advisor Sarah Tennant; MEDC Assistant Chief of Protocol Maci Gilmore; and MEDC Associate Michigan Korea Office Youjin Kim.

Four or five names were redacted; those individuals were likely working the security detail.

WhitmerTaiwan_CapCon_Watermarked.pdf by mcclallen

The group visited Hyundai Motor HQ, where they saw robot demonstrations; met with Hansaw Mobility, Poen, and Brils, three technology and robotics companies with a presence in Michigan. Members of the travel group also met with representatives of semiconductor company SK Hynix and automotive supplier HL Mando.

In Taiwan, group members met with the American Institute in Taiwan and met with Lai Ching-te, president of the Republic of China.

The group also visited GMW and Himax Semiconductor Design. Whitmer and a small entourage also met officials of TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor company.

The trip was funded by the MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization that aims to advance economic development initiatives in Michigan, MEDC Press Secretary Danielle Emerson told CapCon in an email. 

“As our press releases indicated, the governor’s investment mission sought to advance Michigan-Korea investment ties by capturing a share of Korea's $350B U.S. investment commitment – anchored in shipbuilding, robotics, and future mobility – and to meet with companies considering investing in Michigan in the semiconductor, drones, and robotics industries; as well as to build ties with important manufacturing clusters in Taipei City and Taichung City. For a full summary of events, please review the conclusion press release.”

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter released the following statement:

“Oakland County and Taichung City in Taiwan both have strong manufacturing roots, making a partnership a natural fit. That’s why I am excited to be traveling to Taiwan to sign a sister city agreement between our county and Taichung City, culminating months of work between our Economic Development team and its counterparts there. The agreement will help us build relationships that can lead to real opportunities for our businesses and residents long after we return home. Having a connection with one of the world’s leading manufacturing regions can help attract investment and create good-paying jobs here in Oakland County. I appreciate the opportunity to join Governor Whitmer in South Korea and Taiwan to move this partnership forward.”