Scott Walker will travel to London

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) will be in London this week, as he looks to polish his foreign policy credentials in preparation for a possible 2016 presidential run, The Associated Press reported Monday.

Walker is in England as part of a trade mission, telling the AP through a spokeswoman that the trip is mostly private meetings designed to bring foreign investment to Wisconsin. He will make one public appearance, when he gives a speech titled “Building Global Partnerships for Stronger Local Economies.”

{mosads}It is not his first trade mission as governor. In 2013, he visited China and met with officials from government ministries. Walker has said he hopes to lead a trade mission to Israel later this year.

Walker is one of many possible 2016 Republican candidates to travel abroad, as they consider whether to launch a bid for the White House. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visited London last week, and Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) traveled to Guatemala last year, performing pro bono surgeries.

The Wisconsin governor’s star has been rising since he delivered a well-received speech to conservative activists in Iowa last month. Walker has posted a strong showing in early-state polls. He originally rose to national prominence after battling public sector unions in the Badger State.