Whitmer's European Drive
Michigan Gov. Whitmer Embarks on Second European Trade Mission to Paris This Year
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched her second trip to Europe in five months on June 15, heading to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg on a weeklong trade mission. Her first stop is the Eurosatory defense and security conference in Paris, where she is reportedly the only sitting U.S. governor in attendance, according to WHMI 93.5.
The mission is part of Whitmer's "Make It in Michigan" economic push. She framed the trip in blunt terms: "Michigan is open for business and on the move," adding that the delegation will "strengthen ties with European allies and bring home new opportunities that create good-paying jobs," WHMI 93.5 reported.
Why Paris? Michigan's Big Defense and Aerospace Bet
Whitmer is targeting Europe's booming defense sector. European defense budgets have grown more than 30% since 2021. Michigan launched a five-year "Defense and Aerospace Strategic Plan" in early 2026, branding the state an "Arsenal of Innovation," according to Michigan Business.
The strategy has already shown results. In February, Whitmer's Germany trip produced a deal with RENK Group — a $70 million investment promising 300 jobs. A Michigan Pavilion at Eurosatory will feature 12 Michigan companies, including Dataspeed Inc., EMTECH, and Weldaloy Specialty Forgings, CBS Detroit reported.
This Is Whitmer's Third International Trip in Six Months
The June mission is Whitmer's third major international trip of 2026 alone. She attended the World Economic Forum in Davos in January — a trip that cost $61,000 — then flew to Germany and Italy in February for the Munich Security Conference and a stop at the Winter Olympics in Milan, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
The February Germany-Italy trip cost $208,000. In total, Whitmer took five international trips in 2025 — to the UAE, UK, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Canada — costing roughly $1 million, Michigan News Source reported. The cost of the current June trip has not been disclosed.
Who Is Paying for the Trip — and Who Is Questioning It
About 88% of recent trip costs are covered by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), a state agency. The remaining 12% comes from the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, a private nonprofit. Republican lawmakers call the MEDC funding a "slush fund," arguing that 89% of its revenue comes from tribal casino and online gambling proceeds — making it effectively public money, according to EUP News.
Reps. Steve Carra and Jaime Green have pushed for more legislative oversight. MEDC CEO Quentin Messer Jr. pushed back, saying these trips "position Michigan businesses of all sizes for growth" in global markets where personal diplomacy is standard for landing big contracts, CBS Detroit reported.
French Investment in Michigan Is Already Worth $4.6 Billion
Whitmer's team points to concrete numbers to defend the France leg of the trip. Since 2019, 56 French investment projects have created 5,900 jobs and $4.6 billion in capital investment in Michigan, according to WHMI 93.5. The delegation also includes health care leaders from Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association — signaling a secondary focus on medical technology deals.
Critics note Michigan currently ranks 32nd in the nation for economic outlook as of April 2026, per the American Legislative Exchange Council. With the June trip's price tag still undisclosed, Michigan News Source says the Governor's office will face growing pressure to show a clear return on investment before the House Oversight Committee takes a closer look.
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