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Gov. Little leads Idaho diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom

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Boise, Idaho ~ Boise, Idaho - Governor Brad Little has recently returned from a successful diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom, making Idaho the first state in the nation to send an official delegation following the Trump Administration's recent state visit to the UK.

Accompanied by representatives from the Idaho Department of Commerce, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and a small group of Idaho businesses and organizations, Governor Little's trip was focused on establishing government-to-government relationships and laying the groundwork for Idaho companies to expand into the UK market.

During his visit, Governor Little emphasized Idaho's strengths in agriculture and technology, stating that "Idaho is home to world leaders in agriculture and technology, and this mission was an important opportunity to share that story with leaders in the United Kingdom." He also highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen ties between the US and UK following President Trump's recent visit.

Idaho's food and agriculture exports reached over $2.6 billion in 2023. By fostering new relationships in the UK market, Idaho aims to diversify its export destinations, expand its international presence, and create new opportunities for its farmers, ranchers, and food processors.

The strongest early opportunities for Idaho in the UK include beef, dairy, and processed potatoes. In 2024 alone, Idaho's agricultural exports to the UK totaled $2.97 million, with nearly 70 percent being prepared potatoes. The US Dairy Export Council reports that the UK is currently the world's largest importer of cheese from global markets, indicating significant potential for Idaho's high-quality dairy products.

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In addition to exploring opportunities in agriculture, Governor Little's delegation also looked into potential collaborations between Idaho companies and those in the UK fintech (financial technology) and nuclear sectors. This includes possible partnerships on advanced nuclear energy research following President Trump's recent Technology Prosperity Deal.

Highlights from Governor Little's mission include meetings with key industry players such as the International Meat Trade Association to discuss the importance of maintaining global market balance through both meat imports and exports. The delegation also met with the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to address regulatory topics, including the implementation of a new tariff-free beef quota for US beef and the UK's management of PCN, a soil-borne pest that affects potato production.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit David Barton, a beef producer and chair of the National Farmers Union National Livestock Board. Discussions centered around bilateral trade and learning more about UK farm policy related to conservation, food safety, and succession planning.

In addition to these agricultural meetings, Governor Little's delegation also engaged with global fintech leaders Clearwater Analytics and Equifax to showcase Idaho companies' success on the world stage and explore opportunities for expanding their international reach and operations.

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Representatives from Idaho businesses who accompanied Governor Little on this mission expressed their enthusiasm for the trip. Jay Theiler, Executive Director of Marketing at AgriBeef stated that "the mission was a valuable opportunity to assess the market and connect with our industry partners." He also added that traveling with Governor Little allowed them to meet with high-level government officials to discuss remaining market access issues under the new tariff-free beef quota.

Jamey Higham, CEO of Idaho Potato Commission, also shared his positive experience on the trip, stating that "the trade mission to the UK was a tremendous success." He emphasized how it provided an opportunity to learn about potential market opportunities and strengthen international relationships while exchanging best practices in potato production.

Ajay Guru, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Solutions at Equifax, expressed his honor in welcoming Governor Little's delegation to their London office. He stated that "the visit was a vital opportunity to demonstrate our organization's commitment to strengthening Idaho's international business footprint."

Overall, Governor Little's diplomatic mission to the United Kingdom has been deemed a success by both government officials and representatives from Idaho businesses. With the groundwork now laid, Idaho is looking forward to increasing exports to the UK and expanding business relationships and friendships throughout the country.

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