according to the center for continuing study of the california economy, if california's gdp were compared to those of leading nations, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the world. pérez has led bipartisan delegations of assembly members on official visits to some of california's most important trading partners, including mexico, the republic of korea, and the state of israel. those visits have been reciprocated by a number of foreign leaders, including israeli president shimon peres, and a delegation of federal senators from mexico.