Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) headed to Asia this week, his first international trip as chief executive of Virginia that comes as possible 2024 presidential rival Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) makes his own trip through Europe.
Both men could be presidential candidates, but neither has announced a bid to challenge former President Donald Trump‘s hold over the GOP.
Youngkin will visit Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea from Monday through Saturday to meet with executives and leaders about strengthening business ties between Virginia and Asia. He has already met with the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, and issued an executive order establishing Virginia’s first office for economic development in Taipei, Taiwan’s capital.
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“I look forward to furthering our bond and creating an even more robust and lasting friendship,” said Youngkin during a press conference on Monday in Taipei.
After winning Virginia’s governorship in 2021 by defeating Democrat Terry McAuliffe, presidential speculation about Youngkin began almost immediately. But Youngkin has been coy on whether he will run, instead saying he will focus on legislative elections in Virginia.
“I am wholly focused on the commonwealth of Virginia, and I’m looking forward to these elections this year,” Youngkin told reporters earlier this month after being asked about his presidential ambitions.
DeSantis, meanwhile, is on an international trade mission to Europe this week, where he also offered a noncommittal response after being asked about trailing Trump in polling. “I’m not a candidate, so we’ll see if and when that changes,” DeSantis told reporters while in Japan on Monday.
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Both men will face an uphill climb to defeat Trump and win the GOP presidential nomination if they decide to run. DeSantis is widely seen as Trump’s biggest competitor, while Youngkin will need to raise his profile further with Republicans across the United States.
A Morning Consult poll released last week showed Trump leading all possible 2024 contenders at 53%, with DeSantis in second place at 24% and Youngkin polling at 0%.
