AUSTIN, Texas — Texas lawmakers are strengthening their partnership with leaders in the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) announced the formation of the “Texas Legislative U.K. Caucus” along with Rep. Claudia Ordaz (D-El Paso).
He said the bipartisan group’s goal is to advance economic opportunities, policy discussion and cultural engagement between Texas and the U.K. He also said he plans to introduce an item in the state budget to establish a Texas trade office in the U.K.
“This initiative will create a dedicated hub to promote our state’s interests abroad, to enable Texas businesses to connect with potential British partners and open new avenues for job creation and investment on both sides of the Atlantic,” Parker said.
Lawmakers say this builds on a trip that Gov. Greg Abbott took to the U.K. last year.
Last March, the governor signed an agreement deepening the partnership between Texas and the U.K., encouraging expanded trade and attracting new business investments to Texas.
A report from the Governor’s Office shows the U.K. was the ninth-largest trading partner with Texas as of 2022. That includes major investments from BP, Linde and other companies.
Texas exports billions of dollars worth of mineral fuel and oil each year, while the U.K. exports over $1 billion worth of nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and related parts to Texas.