The Georgia delegation on a trade mission to South America this week is working on prospective deals with three companies, Gov. Brian Kemp told Capitol Beat Wednesday in an exclusive interview from Brazil.
"This trip has exceeded my expectations," Kemp said from São Paulo, where he has spent the first part of the week before heading to Argentina on Thursday. "The meetings we've had have been high quality."
Brazil is one of Georgia's major trading partners, accounting for $748 million in exports last year. The Peach State's business ties to Argentina are less extensive, with $120 million in exports in 2024.
"The U.S. has not paid enough attention to South America," Kemp said. "There's real opportunities here we need to take advantage of. ... The Chinese are in Brazil. We need to make our presence known."
Kemp said two of the three prospective deals with Brazilian companies the Georgia delegation is working on would be located in rural Georgia. Throughout his two terms as governor, he has made rural economic development a major priority.
More recently, the state Department of Agriculture has been looking to help Georgia industries devastated by Hurricane Helene - including timber, pecans, and poultry - recover from the damage the storm inflicted. Another economic blow fell just last week when International Paper announced plans to close two paper mills in the Savannah area, putting 1,100 employees out of work.
"We're looking to find new markets for commodities that have been significantly hit," said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, who is on the trip with the governor.
This week's trip is coming amid a backdrop of huge tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed on countries around the world. Among the highest are the 50% tariffs the president has slapped on Brazil.
But Kemp said one of the companies the Georgia delegation met with has been able to convince Trump to reduce the 50% tariff on that company to 10%.
"The White House is talking to and working with these companies," he said. "Hopefully, there will be stabilization at some point."
Kemp said members of the delegation will look to land more trade opportunities with businesses in Argentina when the group travels to Buenos Aires. Argentinian President Javier Milei has transformed that nation's economy since taking office in December 2023, reducing inflation and growing the economy.
"There's something good going on in Argentina," Kemp said. "With what the new administration is doing, we want to go and learn more about that."
After visiting Argentina, the Georgia delegation will return to Atlanta on Saturday.