SAN FRANCISCO – Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a strategic international collaboration between California and Belgium aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and advancing innovation, particularly in clean technology sectors. During a visit in San Francisco, Governor Newsom and a California delegation welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, who is spearheading the largest Belgian trade delegation to the state in history. The two regions, already strong economic allies, share deep academic, cultural, and commercial connections.\n\nA bilateral meeting was held focusing on innovation-driven economies, renewable energy, and joint opportunities in high-tech industries such as aerospace and semiconductor development. As part of the agreement, California and Belgium formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to promote trade, support entrepreneurship, encourage business collaboration, and strengthen their shared innovation ecosystems. The full text of the MOU is publicly accessible.\n\nTrade between the two regions reached $3.3 billion in 2024, with California’s exports to Belgium rising by over 10%. Key exports include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and electronic components. California imported nearly $900 million in goods from Belgium, making it one of the top U.S. states for Belgian product imports. Additionally, Belgian firms operating in California contribute significantly to the local economy, providing more than 4,300 jobs across diverse sectors and geographic areas.\n\nCalifornia has maintained an active global presence, engaging in climate initiatives and forging international alliances to support long-term economic expansion. Under Governor Newsom’s administration, the state has established 42 international partnerships, creating foundational support for workers and businesses to benefit from emerging global opportunities. Last month, similar agreements were launched with Brazil and Kenya, emphasizing climate action and economic development.\n\n— news from CA.gov\n\n— News Original —\nCalifornia partners with Belgium to boost business, strengthen economic ties\n\nSAN FRANCISCO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a new international partnership between California and Belgium to grow economic relations and advance research and innovation, including in clean technologies. \n\nIn San Francisco, the Governor and a delegation from California welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, Princess of Belgium, who is leading the largest Belgian trade mission to California in their history. California and Belgium are important trading partners and share close economic, academic, and cultural ties. \n\nThe two delegations held a bilateral meeting that focused on the innovation economy, clean energy and opportunities to advance mutually important sectors like aerospace and semiconductors. California and Belgium signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate trade, entrepreneurship, business engagement, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem. Text of the MOU is available here. \n\nA strong trade partnership \n\nIn 2024, two-way trade between California and Belgium totaled $3.3 billion, with California exports to Belgium increasing by more than 10%. California’s top exports to Belgium include pharmaceuticals and medicine, manufactured commodities like medical equipment, and electronics. With nearly $900 million in imports to California, the state ranks as one of the top American importers of Belgian products. Belgium is also a significant source of direct foreign investment for California, with Belgian-owned companies supporting more than 4,300 jobs across various sectors and regions in California. \n\nHow we got here \n\nCalifornia has long been a key player on the international stage — from taking joint action on climate change to identifying new pathways and partnerships for sustained economic growth. During the Newsom Administration alone, California has formed 42 international partnerships that lay critical groundwork for our continued economic success as well as prioritizing workers and businesses that benefit from these new opportunities. \n\nLast month in New York, the Governor launched two new international partnerships with Brazil and Kenya focused on climate and economic efforts.
