Gov. Whitmer departs on her second foreign trade mission of 2026

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Feb 13, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is participating in a trade mission to Germany, her office announced Friday, marking her second trip to Europe of the first seven weeks of the new year.

In Germany, Whitmer had already visited the global headquarters of the manufacturer RENK Group, which announced plans to expand in Michigan and create about 300 jobs in the state, according to the governor's office. Whitmer will also speak on a panel Friday about foreign policy at the Munich Security Conference.

Joining the Democratic governor on the panel will be U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, and Matthew Whitaker, U.S. ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

"We will continue to stay focused on growing our economy and bring home more projects to help us lead the future of manufacturing, defense and aerospace," Whitmer said in a statement. "Let’s keep telling Michigan’s story and leading on issues that matter nationally and globally.”

Other prominent Democrats participating in the Munich conference include California Gov. Gavin Newsom and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, according to the event's agenda. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, is also expected to attend as part of a bipartisan delegation of senators.

In January, Whitmer, who's in her eighth and final year as Michigan's governor, traveled to Switzerland, where she participated in the World Economic Forum.

Among the Michigan officials joining the governor on her trip to Germany is U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers.

RENK America and Horstman, RENK Group’s two U.S. subsidiaries located in Michigan, currently employ more than 540 Michigan workers in their plants in Muskegon, Sterling Heights and Roseville, according to the governor's office.

The company is planning a $70 million investment in capital expenditures and a $100 million investment in research and development in Michigan by 2030.

RENK's CEO, Alexander Sagel, said the expansion reflected the company's "confidence in Michigan’s talented workforce, strong industrial base, and supportive business environment.”

The new venture to Germany is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and the nonprofit Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an organization that raises money from some of the state's largest companies to support Whitmer's travel and other business attraction activities.

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