Mayor Rahm Emanuel is on his way to Japan and China for a week – bringing with 45 civic leaders.
His main mission is to check in personally in China on the city’s $1.3 billion dollar contract to make CTA train cars. It comes as the Trump administration and China are in the midst of a trade war. The mayor’s trip – first reported by NBC 5 – two weeks ago was not announced publicly until Monday, as he headed to the airport.
The Asia visit will include announcements, according to his spokesman:
- Bank of China will double its Chicago office to 65.
- Japan-Chicago Economic Partnership Agreement – first ever.
- Komatsu – moving 350 jobs from Rolling Meadows to Chicago.
- CRRC Sifang America – meeting with executives about plans to replace half of the CTA’s fleet of train cars.
Three aldermen will be travelling with the mayor: Margaret Laurino, Patrick Thompson and Michelle Harris, as well as World Business Chicago CEO Andrea Zopp. Others in the group include executives with Mesirow Financial, Baker & McKenzie, and even an organizer with the Sheet Metal Workers union.
The mayor's office said no tax payer money is being used for the international trip.
The mayor returns next Monday.
