Ron DeSantis Praises "Strong Japan" in Overseas Tour

Facts

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican US presidential candidate, kicked-off his four-nation tour on Monday by meeting with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.¹
• The trip, part of a trade mission, comes as DeSantis aims to bulk up his foreign policy credentials ahead of an official announcement of his 2024 GOP presidential nomination campaign.²
• Japan is the first stop on DeSantis's trip, which will also see him travel to South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom.³
• According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Kishida and DeSantis discussed the importance of ties between the US and Japan — specifically the economic ties between Japan and Florida — during their meeting.⁴
• According to a statement released by DeSantis's office, he is not set to meet with the leaders of any of the other countries he is scheduled to visit.⁵
• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, another hopeful for the Republican nomination, is also scheduled to undertake a similar trip next week, that will include Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. He is also reportedly scheduled to meet with Kishida.⁵

Sources: ¹Nasdaq, ²Reuters, ³USA Today, ⁴Axios, and ⁵The Japan Times.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by New York Post. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey certainly fit the bill of a president and first lady, evident in the way Gov. DeSantis is taking the initiative to build strong relationships with American allies. This trip not only aids his position as governor of Florida, but such connections would also be immensely valuable if he became president. DeSantis has many key leadership qualities, and he is seemingly expanding beyond domestic governance and flourishing into a global leader.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Occupy Democrats. Ron DeSantis and his wife Casey certainly fit the bill of a president and first lady, evident in the way Gov. DeSantis is taking the initiative to build strong relationships with American allies. This trip not only aids his position as governor of Florida, but such connections would also be immensely valuable if he became president. DeSantis has many key leadership qualities, and he is seemingly expanding beyond domestic governance and flourishing into a global leader.

Predictions