(The Center Square) – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter are going to Asia for a “strategic international recruiting trip, the governor’s office said Friday.
The agenda includes Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Lee and McWhorter plan to meet with Quanta Manufacturing, Hyosung HICO, LG Chem, Bridgestone, and SK ON, which already have a presence in Tennessee.
“Tennessee is a global leader for its pro-business climate, low taxes, and highly skilled workforce, and we’re proud to showcase what makes our state a top destination for industry and innovation,” said Lee. “As states across the nation compete for world-class companies, it’s our responsibility to cultivate strong international relationships and strategic partnerships that demonstrate Tennessee’s unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity and prosperity for Tennesseans.”
Lee and McWhorter are going to create a foreign direct investment office in Taiwan.
“Combined, companies across Taiwan, South Korea and Japan employ more than 60,000 Tennesseans, which we believe is a clear reflection of our state’s long-standing commitment to building strong international relationships,” McWhorter said.
Japanese companies invest $20.7 billion in Tennessee and employ 49,917 people, according to the Department of Economic and Community Development. The investment from Taiwanese companies is $158.7 million, and from South Korean companies it is $6 billion.
The Center Square was unsuccessful before publication, getting a cost of the trip from the Department of Economic and Community Development.
It is the governor’s sixth trip since taking office, according to a release from Lee’s office.
State officials have made two economic development trips in 2025, paid for by state funds, according to Transparent Tennessee. The state spent $10,084.14 for McWhorter’s trip to Taiwan in March.
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Lee, McWhorter, and Lee’s chief of staff, Joseph Williams, all went to Paris for an economic development trip in June. The state paid $5,247.14 in travel expenses for Lee, $13,854.52 for Williams, and $13,939.48 for McWhorter, according to Transparent Tennessee.
The state has 1,011 foreign-owned businesses in Tennessee, according to state records. Twenty-four foreign-based projects are listed on Transparent Tennessee. The capital investment is $830.6 million. The projects are tied to 2,532 jobs.
