Locke's first two trade missions were to the Asia of his ancestors, where he was admired and treated like a celebrity. He's not as well known down there. At times, the governor will likely use an interpreter, though Brassington said the language barrier is usually minimal on high-level trips because many foreign executives and government officials speak English. American business leaders will have to go about their deal-making a bit differently than they do at home. Personal relationships are so important.
Business is done over dinners.
You have a meal and talk about things. Darigold is hoping its cheese will do the talking. Rather than sending a representative, the dairy company is sending a 40-pound block of cheddar made in Sunnyside to one of the Mexico City receptions in an attempt to attract business. But there are at least some who think Locke's voyage is more likely to produce souvenirs than substance. Pete Garza, a Yakima Valley farmer, said if the governor really wanted to end apple tariffs, he should talk with the growers in Chihuahua and Durango rather than government officials.