Whitmer's European Goodbye Tour Costs Taxpayers $200K+

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has begun a weeklong investment mission to France, Belgium and Luxembourg, where she is promoting Michigan to foreign investors and attending Eurosatory, one of the world's largest defense and security conferences. Similar overseas trips by the Whitmer administration have cost more than $200,000, and the governor's international travel exceeded $1.1 million in 2025 alone.

According to the governor's office, the trip is designed to attract new business investment, strengthen diplomatic relationships and promote Michigan's defense, aerospace, manufacturing and technology industries. The delegation includes Michigan business leaders, economic development officials and representatives from Michigan companies participating in the conference.

What makes this trip noteworthy is its timing.

Whitmer is a term-limited governor with only months remaining in office. Previous Michigan governors generally reduced international travel during their final year. Rick Snyder took one overseas trip during his final year in office, while Jennifer Granholm similarly wound down her international travel schedule as her administration came to a close.

Whitmer has taken the opposite approach.

The current trip is her third overseas trip of 2026 and her second trip to Europe in less than six weeks. Earlier this year she traveled to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum and later traveled to Germany and Italy before embarking on her current trip through France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Supporters say economic development efforts should continue until a governor's final day in office. Critics argue that a governor with fewer than seven months remaining in office has limited ability to negotiate, implement and oversee long-term economic agreements before handing power to the next administration.

The governor's office has defended the travel by noting that international trade missions are funded through the Michigan Economic Development Foundation rather than directly through the state budget. Critics have questioned that distinction, noting that many of the foundation's donors have also received substantial state economic development incentives.

Michigan taxpayers are not the ones touring Europe.

They're paying for it.

The question is not whether governors should travel overseas. The question is why a governor entering the final months of her administration appears to be increasing international travel rather than winding it down.

When Whitmer returns, Michigan residents deserve a simple answer: What did this trip cost, and what did Michigan get in return?

Flint Talk Editorial