by Sarah Roderick-Fitch
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin met with Finland President Alexander Stubb, discussing opportunities the commonwealth and the northern European country can strengthen their business relationship.
The two leaders met in the nation’s capital, Helsinki as part of the governor’s economic tour of Europe. Youngkin used the visit to cement an established relationship between Virginia and Finland.
“As a premier partner in the Commonwealth’s economic and business ecosystem, I was thrilled to meet with President Stubb to strengthen Virginia’s decades-old partnership with Finland,” said Youngkin. “As a former business leader, I appreciate the commitment to excellence that Finland demonstrates across sectors. They are an important trading partner and I look forward to building on our successful relationship for years to come.”
The Youngkin administration described the Nordic country as a “significant player in cross continental relationships” with the commonwealth, highlighting Finland’s investment in shipbuilding, IT software and logistics, which closely align with Virginia’s “business ecosystem.”
“Virginia exported $49M in products to Finland in 2023 and imported $93M in goods from Finland,” according to a release from Youngkin’s office.
This is Youngkin’s third international trade mission trip as governor, having visited Asia last year, highlighted by the establishment of a trade office in Taiwan.
Youngkin’s trip is likely an opportunity for the newly elected Finnish leader to flex his international muscles since taking office earlier this spring. Stubb already has strong ties with the U.S., as an alumnus of South Carolina’s Furman University.
In addition to Finland, Youngkin’s European tour includes visits to Germany, Denmark and Switzerland. The trip is expected to wrap up Friday.
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Sarah Roderick-Fitch is The Center Square’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Editor. She has previously worked as an editor, and has been a contributing writer for several publications. In addition to writing and editing, Sarah spent nearly a decade working for non-profit, public policy organizations in the Washington, DC area.
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Governor of Virginia.
