Texas Gov. Greg Abbott met Tuesday at the Governor’s Mansion with several U.S. ambassadors to discuss transatlantic security, Texas’ defense manufacturing and innovation sectors, and the promotion of U.S. industry, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The meeting included Matthew Whitaker, Joseph Popolo, Tom Rose, and Nicholas Merrick.
According to the release, Abbott highlighted Texas’ advanced manufacturing capabilities and the state’s role as a national leader in artificial intelligence, defense innovation, semiconductor capacity, and the global aerospace and aviation industry. The governor and ambassadors emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships between Texas and allied nations to support national security and defense manufacturing.
Whitaker thanked Abbott for his efforts to ensure the United States and its allies remain strong against what the release described as bad actors. Officials said the meeting focused on strengthening transatlantic cooperation and promoting U.S. industry through state and federal collaboration.
The discussion also addressed Texas’ energy sector. The release noted that Texas’ “all-of-the-above” energy approach has strengthened the state’s ability to support large-scale manufacturing and innovation.
Abbott also discussed Texas’ efforts to expand nuclear energy development, including the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office and the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund, which are intended to incentivize nuclear energy projects within the state. According to the release, the ambassadors echoed the importance of reliable energy generation to power critical industries, including defense manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and semiconductor production.
The meeting comes amid a broader focus by federal and state officials on the role of advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence in national security. As The Dallas Express previously reported, the U.S. Department of War this week announced an Artificial Intelligence Acceleration Strategy aimed at making the U.S. military an “AI-first” fighting force, underscoring the growing emphasis on domestic AI development and defense innovation.
The ambassadors met with Abbott during a two-day tour of Texas that included visits with major manufacturers in several cities across the state, according to the governor’s office.
