Hospital decision good for Jindal, less for others
January 15, 2015
Angel Manuel Merlos
January 15, 2015Gov. Bobby Jindal is in Europe this week for a 10-day economic development mission, a trip that also could bolster the Republican’s international relations credentials as he considers a possible presidential campaign.
The governor’s office, which announced the plans Thursday, said the primary focus of the visit to Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland is to pitch Louisiana as an attractive place to do business, seeking new foreign investment for the state.
The travel contingent will return to Louisiana on Jan. 20.
“We must go global in our efforts to attract new investment and jobs to Louisiana. Louisiana has an amazing story to tell and the tools to attract companies from around the world,” the governor said in a statement. He said the trip “represents a great opportunity to share Louisiana’s story and establish relationships with companies around the world.”
But Jindal also intends to fit in a foreign policy address while overseas, to the conservative Henry Jackson Society, a London-based think tank. And the governor’s office said Jindal “will meet with a number of political leaders in the United Kingdom.”
The two-term governor has been speaking with greater frequency about international issues as he lays the groundwork for a potential 2016 White House bid. The Europe visit could be used to try to squelch concerns that as a state leader Jindal lacks the foreign policy experience needed to be president.
Other possible GOP candidates also have been increasing their overseas travel and working to improve their knowledge of international issues. For example, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been cramming in phone calls with foreign policy experts.
For the economic development focus of his trip, Jindal will be meeting with executives of five companies in the manufacturing and services industries that the governor’s office said are considering new projects in Louisiana.
The governor will sit down with leaders of German chemical company BASF, which has its largest North American manufacturing site in Geismar near Baton Rouge, Jindal Chief of Staff Kyle Plotkin said. The company has more than 2,000 employees in Louisiana.
