Utah Governor Spencer Cox Foresees Expansion After Productive Trade Mission to New Zealand and Australia
Governor Cox leads Utah delegation and highlights mining, defence, and social media reforms while reaffirming U.S.-Australia strategic ties
Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrapped a week-long trade mission to New Zealand and Australia with an optimistic assessment of Utah’s global positioning and the next three years ahead.
During visits to Auckland and Sydney, he met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, addressed the International Mining & Resources Conference in Sydney and toured a Sydney biorefinery recovering metals from electronic waste.
In Auckland, Governor Cox said Utah and New Zealand were “natural trade partners” and signed a letter of intent with New Zealand’s energy minister to expand cooperation in geothermal energy and critical minerals.
The mission’s industry focus spanned aerospace and defence, critical minerals, fintech and innovation.
Cox asserted that sub-national ties such as these enhance national strategic relationships, particularly given shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
As the trip coincided with a recent eight-point-five-billion-dollar U.S.–Australia critical-minerals agreement signed by President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Cox said the timing elevated Utah’s presence.
He noted that because Washington was facing a federal government shutdown, the Utah delegation “was not just representing Utah, we were representing the entire country.”
On domestic policy, the governor reaffirmed his “Disagree Better” initiative aimed at reducing political polarisation and voiced a strong commitment to protecting youth from social-media harm—a program mirrored in Australia’s recent legislation limiting social-media access for minors.
He indicated his priorities for the remaining three years in office will include literacy campaigns, infrastructure investments ahead of the Winter Olympics, and addressing homelessness in Salt Lake City.
Governor Cox noted that follow-up is now key: a smaller Utah delegation will return to the region in early 2026 to deepen partnerships seeded during the mission.
He said Utah stands ready for investment, innovation and alliances with allied nations as the state’s economy remains at the forefront of emerging global opportunities.
During visits to Auckland and Sydney, he met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, addressed the International Mining & Resources Conference in Sydney and toured a Sydney biorefinery recovering metals from electronic waste.
In Auckland, Governor Cox said Utah and New Zealand were “natural trade partners” and signed a letter of intent with New Zealand’s energy minister to expand cooperation in geothermal energy and critical minerals.
The mission’s industry focus spanned aerospace and defence, critical minerals, fintech and innovation.
Cox asserted that sub-national ties such as these enhance national strategic relationships, particularly given shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
As the trip coincided with a recent eight-point-five-billion-dollar U.S.–Australia critical-minerals agreement signed by President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Cox said the timing elevated Utah’s presence.
He noted that because Washington was facing a federal government shutdown, the Utah delegation “was not just representing Utah, we were representing the entire country.”
On domestic policy, the governor reaffirmed his “Disagree Better” initiative aimed at reducing political polarisation and voiced a strong commitment to protecting youth from social-media harm—a program mirrored in Australia’s recent legislation limiting social-media access for minors.
He indicated his priorities for the remaining three years in office will include literacy campaigns, infrastructure investments ahead of the Winter Olympics, and addressing homelessness in Salt Lake City.
Governor Cox noted that follow-up is now key: a smaller Utah delegation will return to the region in early 2026 to deepen partnerships seeded during the mission.
He said Utah stands ready for investment, innovation and alliances with allied nations as the state’s economy remains at the forefront of emerging global opportunities.
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