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Chris Christie goes to London

New Jersey governor says he wants to promote trade and investment between his state and its third largest foreign trading partner
Chris Christie on his trip to the United Kingdom 02:27

Gov. Chris Christie, R-New Jersey, heads across the pond to the United Kingdom on Sunday, a trip he says he's making to promote trade and investment between his state and its third-largest foreign trading partner.

"I've been to the first two largest partners, Canada and Mexico, and now I'm moving onto the U.K.," the governor said in a conference call on Friday.

As he mulls a presidential run in 2016, though, it certainly doesn't hurt Christie to burnish his foreign policy credentials, particularly if expects to face former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Christie said he'll meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and George Osborne, the British finance minister. He sounded a diplomatic note, reflecting on America's relationship with the U.K.

"From a cultural and historical perspective, obviously, the U.S. and our people have always had a really, really strong relationship with the U.K. that reflects our common language, our heritage, our ideals, our democratic traditions," he said. "So I'm really looking forward to experiencing that firsthand."

Gov. Christie defends hug after Dallas Cowboys win 01:28

He highlighted the close commercial ties between New Jersey and the United Kingdom, citing over $7 billion in annual trade and significant bilateral business investment. Christie said the goal of the trip is to "strengthen the business, cultural, and diplomatic ties" between his state and the U.K.

Christie also said he plans to take in a professional soccer game in London, and he seemed to joke about the ruckus that erupted after his enthusiastic celebration of a recent Dallas Cowboys victory was caught on tape. "As all of you are painfully aware, I'm an avid sports fan, so I'm looking forward to going to the Arsenal soccer match on Sunday," he said.

Christie's not the only potential 2016 candidate eager to demonstrate some foreign policy chops as the GOP primary field takes shape. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is headed to London later in February, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee all visited the U.K. in the past year.

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