South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and S.C. Commerce staff, led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel, welcomed British Ambassador to the U.S. Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, to Columbia, S.C., to further economic development and trade relation discussions.

On the heels of a December 2022 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United Kingdom (U.K.) and a rise in bilateral collaboration since, S.C. Commerce leadership announced the agency’s expansion into the U.K. and Republic of Ireland markets Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

In mid-July, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ashely Teasdel and S.C. Commerce led a state delegation throughout the United Kingdom. The mission trip helped grow bilateral collaboration, strengthen economic ties and build trade relations — continuing to advance the December 2022 memorandum of understanding between the two economies.