Gov. Whitmer Concludes Investment Mission to South Korea and Taiwan, Bringing Jobs and Investment to Michigan

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer concluded an investment mission to South Korea and Taiwan, where the Team Michigan delegation strengthened relationships with global companies, advanced new opportunities in maritime manufacturing and key industries, and reinforced Michigan’s position as a destination for international investment. 

The mission included meetings with Korean companies that have recently invested in Michigan, engagement with Gyeonggi Province leadership, and continued outreach to Taiwan’s advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. 

“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,” said Governor Whitmer. “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. Michigan has the talent and manufacturing know-how to compete with anyone, and we’ll keep working to bring more jobs, investments, and opportunity back home.” 

“Investment missions allow Team Michigan to build the trust that turn conversations into opportunities for Michigan’s people, communities, and businesses,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “During this mission, we deepened relationships with companies already investing in Michigan while positioning our state to compete for future investment. These relationships help Michigan companies reach new markets, strengthen supply chains, and create long-term employment and entrepreneurial opportunities that catalyze economic prosperity across our state.” 

“Michigan is uniquely positioned at the intersection of defense innovation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Our partnerships in South Korea and Taiwan create opportunities to connect Michigan’s defense industry and workforce with some of the world’s leading innovators in robotics, uncrewed systems, maritime manufacturing and other critical technologies. With the recent designation of Camp Grayling as a premier U.S. Army test range, Michigan is demonstrating that we can not only manufacture the technologies of the future, but also provide the environment to test, refine and train with them. These partnerships strengthen Michigan’s economy while helping build a more innovative and resilient defense industrial base.” 

“Michigan’s defense and aerospace industry is built on a deep foundation of advanced manufacturing, engineering expertise, and innovative companies that are ready to compete globally,” said Col. John T. Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Executive Director of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation at the MEDC. “Engaging directly with partners in South Korea and Taiwan gives us an opportunity to showcase how Michigan is reimagining the Arsenal of Democracy while building relationships in industries that are increasingly important to our economic and national security. This mission helped position Michigan businesses to be part of the next generation of defense and aerospace innovation.” 

Building on Michigan-Korea Investment 

In South Korea, Governor Whitmer and Team Michigan met with companies and government leaders to build on growing economic ties and position Michigan for future investment, including the Korea International Trade Association and Kim Jung-kwan, Minster of Trade, Industry, and Resources. 

The delegation reaffirmed relationships with Korean companies that have recently chosen to invest and grow in Michigan, including POEN, a future mobility company that established U.S. operations in Troy in 2025, BRILS, a robotics and automation solutions company that recently established operations in the Grand Rapids area, and HL Mechatronics. 

Governor Whitmer also met with the new Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Choo Mi-ae, to identify new business opportunities and initiatives for companies in both regions. 

The meeting advanced the existing cooperation agreement between Michigan and Gyeonggi and reaffirmed a shared commitment to collaboration in economic development, innovation, and emerging technologies. 

Deepening Michigan’s Partnership with Taiwan 

The investment mission marked Governor Whitmer’s third visit to Taiwan and built on her 2024 investment mission, during which Michigan opened its first-ever Michigan Taiwan Office to strengthen investment ties in semiconductors, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. 

In Taiwan, Gov. Whitmer and the delegation met with the American Institute in Taiwan, Taiwan President Taiwan Lai Ching-te and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin, and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. Team Michigan also met with University of Michigan and Michigan State University alumni living in Taiwan.

The delegation also met with companies including aerospace and defense company Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation and drone company Thunder Tiger.  

“We are honored to welcome Governor Whitmer and the Michigan delegation to Thunder Tiger and strongly support their efforts to deepen economic and technology ties with Taiwan. Michigan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, mobility, and defense creates significant opportunities for collaboration with Thunder Tiger, particularly in unmanned systems and next-generation technologies. We look forward to developing meaningful, long-term partnerships between Michigan and Taiwan,” said Thunder Tiger.  

While in Taichung, Team Michigan joined leaders from Oakland County and Taichung City as the two communities formalized a new Sister City relationship. 

The agreement will create new opportunities for economic, educational and cultural cooperation, and deepen connections between Oakland County and one of Taiwan’s leading advanced manufacturing centers. 

This investment mission was supported by the MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic development initiatives that drive private investment, job creation and wage growth in Michigan. 

Investment Missions Deliver Opportunities for Michigan 

Michigan’s international investment missions are an important part of the state’s work to compete for foreign direct investment, support Michigan companies pursuing growth in international markets, and strengthen relationships with companies already employing workers across the state. In-person engagements give Team Michigan an opportunity to make the state’s case directly to decision-makers, understand companies’ future investment plans and identify opportunities to connect Michigan businesses and communities with global projects.

These relationships can translate into new facilities and expansions, opportunities for Michigan suppliers and exporters, stronger international supply chains and good-paying jobs in communities across the state.

This investment mission was supported by the MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic development initiatives that drive private investment, job creation and wage growth in Michigan. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Threads.