New Jersey Governor Chirs Christie Meets U.K. Chancellor Of The Exchequer George Osborne

Gov. Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat pass a police officer as they walk to 11 Downing Street for their meeting with George Osborne, U.K. chancellor of the exchequer, in London, U.K., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015.

(Simon Dawson/Bloomberg)

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Chris Christie's recent trips to Great Britain, Canada and Mexico cost New Jersey taxpayers nearly $124,000, officials said Friday evening.

The governor's office released data on the cost for New Jersey State troopers for accompanying Christie when he traveled to the countries beginning late last year.

The troopers' security and transportation costs totaled $114,275, according to Christie's office. The state also paid $9,617 for the governor's photographer, Tim Larsen, to accompany him on the trips.

Choose New Jersey, a non-profit organization created under Christie's first term in office to promote businesses and job growth in the state, paid for the bulk of the foreign trips Neither the group nor the governor's office released the full costs incurred by the non-profit group for the three trips.

Christie traveled to Mexico in September for a three-day trip that included a meeting with the country's president, Enrique Pena Nieto. He also went to Canada for two days in December, followed by a three-day trip to London in February.

The excursions were billed by the governor's office as trade missions to strengthen New Jersey's relationship with the countries and other foreign entities like universities. However, the missions were widely seen as attempts for Christie to bolster his foreign policy credentials ahead of a likely 2016 presidential campaign.

Governor Chris Christie held a press conference with Governor Rafael Moreno Valle after a morning meeting on the last day of his three day trip as he travels to Mexico on a trade mission in Puebla.

Security and transportation costs for the troopers in Mexico cost taxpayers $21,822 and $29,800 for the Canada trip. The most expensive foreign mission was the trip to London, which cost $62,653.

Christie has yet to toss his hat in the ring, but is expected to make an announcement within the coming weeks.

In 2012, the governor's trip to Israel and the Middle East cost taxpayers nearly $40,000 for security-related costs.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.