Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is headed to Italy.

The second destination on her ongoing “European investment mission” comes after a first stop in Germany on Friday.

The trip has been described as continuing “Team Michigan’s efforts” to strengthen international partnerships and attract new investment in defense, manufacturing and national security industries.

MLive asked the executive office if Whitmer also plans to attend the Olympics. Her team had not responded to multiple requests for comment as of the time of publishing.

“Italy is a key partner for Michigan as we work to strengthen advanced manufacturing, defense capabilities and innovation-driven growth,” Whitmer said in a press release. “By continuing our investment mission in Italy, we’re opening doors for new partnerships, expanding opportunities for Michiganders and positioning our state to compete and lead in a rapidly evolving global economy.”

It’s the term-limited governor’s second foreign trade mission in as many months. She visited Switzerland in January, participating in the 2026 World Economic Forum.

The latest mission is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, MEDC, and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation.

Despite sharing a press release about Whitmer’s trip on Monday morning, her office also did not return requests for comment on details of the trip, including how long it will continue, the overall cost and if there is any specific goal for the number of new jobs brought to the state.

An MEDC spokesperson declined to comment, citing the Presidents’ Day state holiday.

In Italy, Whitmer plans to meet with business, government and industry leaders to highlight Michigan’s advantages in defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and mobility industries, according to the release. The goal is job creation and long-term economic growth.

While at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, she shared the state’s Defense and Aerospace Strategic Plan, a five-year roadmap to grow the state’s defense and aerospace sectors and create jobs.

Whitmer’s strategic plan centers around the state’s unique position to capture an outsized share of the nation’s reinvestment in defense, with over 4,000 defense and 900 aerospace suppliers, 17 military commands and installations and a $30 billion defense economy employing over 166,000.

Earlier this month, the Department of Defense designated Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center as a national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems testing, or drones.

Her office highlighted Italy’s deepening economic ties with Michigan, with Italian companies investing $227.9 million across six projects in the state since 2019.

In January of last year, Italian automotive design and engineering firm Italdesign announced it would establish U.S. headquarters in Bloomfield Township, a $20 million investment creating 24 jobs.

During her first stop in Germany, Whitmer visited RENK Group, a German manufacturer of armored vehicles and naval vessels that announced a plan to expand in Michigan.

In addition to $70 million in capital expenditures and $100 million in research and development by 2030, the company promised to create around 300 jobs. The group’s two U.S. subsidiaries employ more than 540 Michigan workers across plants in Muskegon, Sterling Heights and Roseville.

The strategic plan also emphasizes coordination with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Whitmer is joined on the investment mission by Major General Paul Rogers, who is adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard and director of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, along with Col. John Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), executive director of the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.