Missouri trade mission to Europe includes focus on aerospace, beer brewing

(The Center Square) – Enhancing relationships with aerospace manufacturers and beer brewers will be the focus of Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Parson while on a trade mission to the United Kingdom and Belgium.

Parson and the contingent will visit with representatives of two of the largest employers in the state, Boeing at the Farnborough International Air Show, and Anheuser-Busch InBev in Belgium during the five-day trip concluding Friday. In 2023, Missouri had $307 million in exports to the United Kingdom and $330 million to Belgium.

“Trade Missions are the perfect opportunity for us to continue to promote our state as a prime business destination,” Parson said in a statement. “The United Kingdom and Belgium are key trade partners and the home of leading companies already making significant investments in Missouri. We look forward to strengthening existing relationships with businesses while encouraging new partnerships with those considering growing here in the Show-Me State.”

Boeing employs approximately 17,000 Missourians, mostly in the St. Louis metropolitan area. In addition to visiting with Boeing representatives in the United Kingdom, Parson and the group will meet with executives of Leonardo and Sonaca, both global technology companies. Leonardo manufactures a wide range of aerospace technologies. It employs 53,000 people at 111 sites throughout the world.

Sonaca also servies the aerospace industry. It employs 3,600 in six countries.

Anheuser-Busch InBev is the largest brewer in the world and its U.S. headquarters is in St. Louis. It employs approximately 3,000 people in Missouri and 18,000 people throughout the country.

Parson also will meet with Duvel Moorgat and Whitebridge Pet Brands. Duvel Moorgat owns Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City, which employs approximately 240 people.

Whitebridge Pet Brands specializes in natural health nutrition. The U.S. headquarters is in St. Louis and the company is owned by NXMH, a Belgium-based investment firm. It also operates an office in Genoa, Italy.

No state tax revenues are used for the trip as the governor’s foreign trade missions are funded by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization.