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Pritzker heading to Mexico for trade mission (Updated)

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* Crain’s…

Gov. JB Pritzker is leading a trade mission to Mexico from Sunday through Wednesday focused on agriculture, finance and manufacturing.

The trip to Mexico City follows a delegation to Japan last fall and comes as trade tensions between the U.S. and Mexico are worsening. The Trump administration said March 26 it will impose 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts.

Mexico, which is the state’s second-largest export market with nearly $13 billion in trade in 2024, also is the largest exporter of vehicles and parts to the United States. […]

Agriculture products top the list of Illinois exports to Mexico, followed by chemicals and transportation equipment. Illinois was the fourth-largest importer from Mexico among the states at $19 billion last year. The largest categories are beverages and tobacco, transportation equipment, and electrical equipment, appliances and components.

* Governor Pritzker…

Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and Intersect Illinois, joined by public and private sector leaders from across the state, will lead a trade mission to Mexico from March 30-April 2, 2025.

This trade mission will focus on the importance of deepening economic ties and fostering greater cooperation between the State of Illinois and Mexico. The delegation will engage with Mexican counterparts to discuss enhancing collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture and food processing, finance, and manufacturing, all of which are vital to growing the Illinois economy and creating jobs. Through this mission, Illinois seeks to strengthen its longstanding partnership with Mexico, paving the way for future investment and shared success. […]

Trade mission delegation members include:

“As a Mexican American founder of an investment firm, it is an honor to be part of Governor Pritzker’s timely trade mission to Mexico,” said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital. “Trade supports over 800,000 jobs in Illinois, and our firm values businesses that support international cooperation and investments that benefit working families at home. I look forward to joining Governor Pritzker and leaders from across the state as we deepen cooperation and economic ties.”

…Adding… This trip has been contemplated for at least two years…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to return to Chicago on Thursday after a seven-day trip to Great Britain aimed at advancing Illinois’ economic development goals, including in clean energy and technology — his second major international trip this year.

And the Democratic governor has hinted that more trips — including travel to Israel, Mexico and Asia — are in the works.

posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 10:32 am

Comments

  1. Thatsa lotta people.

    Comment by Responsa Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 10:52 am

  2. Are these numerous people all traveling on the taxpayers’ dime?

    Comment by Mr. Big Trouble Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:03 am

  3. Serious question. If the Governor and Lt. Governor and their respective chiefs of staff are all out of the country from Sunday to Wednesday, who is acting governor?

    Comment by West Sider Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:06 am

  4. ===who is acting governor? ===

    lol

    What?

    Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:07 am

  5. I hope they all come back. If they stayed it would be a significant loss of population and we might lose another congressional district. /S

    Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:12 am

  6. Who is the erected official in charge in the state should something terrible happen here?

    Comment by West Sider Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:14 am

  7. Good move to get so many people acting together for the benefit of Illinois. We’re all in this together, folks.

    Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:17 am

  8. I know they’re in the minority, but with all these trade missions with huge guest lists, has the Governor ever invited any Republican legislators?

    Comment by At The Rail Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:18 am

  9. Thank you. If they hit me with the question of “who is Illinois’ 2nd gentleman” at my weekly trivia contest, I know now. Could they all fit on a single bus when they get there?

    Comment by levivotedforjudy Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:20 am

  10. What is Magnify Strategies, the Lt Governor’s US Senate campaign firm, doing on the government trade mission? Bizarre.

    Comment by Here Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:35 am

  11. == has the Governor ever invited any Republican legislators?==

    Are there any republican legislators in the state that (1) promote Illinois as a great place in which to invest and do business and (2) would be interested in discussing anything with Mexicans in Mexico (other than stay in your own country)?

    Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:39 am

  12. ===What is Magnify Strategies===

    According to their website, they also represent Intersect Illinois.

    Perhaps a quick Google search would enlighten you before claiming something or another is “bizarre.”

    Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:41 am

  13. this is a great sign that demonstrates how much we count on Mexico in our ag export arena

    Comment by flea Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:42 am

  14. “He is too busy calling them all Na#%”

    If it walks like a duck and salutes like a duck…

    Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:42 am

  15. Where are the folks from Cat or John Deere?

    Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:50 am

  16. Can West Sider get the award for best typo of the week ?

    Comment by Anotheretiree Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:51 am

  17. Thanks. That is sooooo Illinois. The campaign firm flies around with the government staff because they have a contract with the administration’s economic development non profit. Yes, I get it. No, it’s not a club at all.

    Comment by Here Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 11:59 am

  18. ===That is sooooo Illinois===

    Yeah, because that sort of thing never happens in other states.

    Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:00 pm

  19. == because they have a contract with the administration’s economic development non profit. ==

    Rauner’s administration created Intersect.

    You spelunkers need to up your game or go back to your fb echo chambers.

    Comment by Henry Francis Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:06 pm

  20. Next Wednesday is “Liberation Day”, when Trump is going to announce/implement a whole bunch of new tariffs, right? Might make fostering trade a bit difficult.

    Comment by Perrid Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:07 pm

  21. It cracks me up to see the complainers come out of the woodwork any time one of these trips comes up. Why would the state not market itself, especially when you have a President who is doing everything he can to alienate the rest of the world. It is more important now than ever that the state reaches out internationally to tell them we are still open for business.

    Comment by Demoralized Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:07 pm

  22. Certainly a statement to send so many folks
    But they should publish an agenda
    Set expectations above just meeting people or seeing cultural settings

    These press releases seem to write themselves
    Folks can say these things about any place
    Jobs trade future connections

    Is a little more substance too much to ask?

    Comment by halving_fun Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:43 pm

  23. === But they should publish an agenda===

    I don’t disagree, but lots of these trade meetings are confidential. Businesses don’t always want it out there that they might possibly be interested in a deal.

    Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:49 pm

  24. Looks like a fun fiesta with plenty of Corporate around to drop the plastic. Hope the COMED doesn’t try any funny biz

    Comment by Annonin' Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 12:52 pm

  25. @west sider–I think you are confusing incapacity and travel. The gov isn’t going under anesthesia, he’s just traveling out of state/country.

    Comment by Leslie K Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:09 pm

  26. Does Intersect Illinois need that many people going for this trip? Once again, I ask who funds them. It seems like it’s a junket frontgroup.

    Comment by Jeb Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:23 pm

  27. The list of people on here who have actual experience in the private sector might be on one hand.

    Hopefully these politicians are paying attention and not using this as a vacation.

    Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:50 pm

  28. The junket costs could probably cover the cut JB made to the Cover crop program that is desperately needed for IL farmers…

    “Pritzker, a Democrat, recently proposed an overall $2 billion increase to next year’s state budget. But he also recommended cuts to several programs, including reducing the cover crop insurance credit budget from $960,000 to $660,000. ”

    https://m.farms.com/news/illinois-governor-moves-to-slash-cover-crop-funds-despite-rising-demand-225233.aspx

    Comment by Donnie Elgin Friday, Mar 28, 25 @ 1:54 pm

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