A Partnership With Punch
In May 2025, Texas rolled out the red carpet for His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, but this was no mere courtesy call. The state’s top business leaders gathered for a high-stakes roundtable, hammering out plans to supercharge trade and innovation. Hosted by the Governor’s Economic Development & Tourism Office, the event showcased Texas’s ambition to lead global markets while forging a vital alliance with a Middle Eastern powerhouse.
Why should you care? Texas, boasting a $2.7 trillion economy and the title of America’s top exporting state, is seizing this moment to create jobs and secure supply chains. Jordan, with its entrepreneurial drive and access to over 50 global markets, brings unique strengths to the table. Together, they’re building a partnership that delivers tangible benefits for workers and businesses alike.
For years, federal gridlock has slowed America’s economic outreach. Texas is done waiting. By bringing Jordan’s king to the table, Governor Greg Abbott is proving that states can drive international cooperation with precision and purpose. This move underscores a truth: strong economies fuel strong nations.
Doubters might call this a one-off event with little staying power. They’re wrong. The roundtable laid out concrete plans for collaboration in semiconductors, green hydrogen, and defense technology—industries that will shape the global economy. Texas and Jordan are already turning talk into action.
In a world of rising tensions and fragile supply chains, aligning with a stable, market-friendly nation like Jordan is a no-brainer. Texas is taking the lead, and the payoff will be felt in communities across the state and beyond.
Jordan’s Value as a Strategic Ally
Jordan shines as a rare island of stability in the Middle East. Its free-trade agreements, skilled labor force, and low-cost energy make it a magnet for investment. The 2001 US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement has fueled a 15.4 percent jump in Jordanian exports to the US, hitting $3.4 billion in 2024. Texas, with $850 billion in annual trade, is ready to take this relationship to the next level.
This partnership goes beyond economics. Jordan’s role as a bulwark against extremism makes it a linchpin for US national security. Strengthening its economy through trade and investment ensures a reliable ally that counters hostile actors like Iran. Yet, some federal decisions—like the April 2025 tariffs projected to slash 10,000–15,000 Jordanian jobs—threaten this stability. Texas’s outreach counters that misstep with a focus on mutual growth.
At the roundtable, executives from Chevron Phillips Chemical, AMD, and Raytheon pitched bold ideas for joint ventures in green hydrogen, drone technology, and semiconductors. These plans leverage Jordan’s business-friendly policies and Texas’s innovation hub to build resilient supply chains for critical sectors.
Compare that to the narrow protectionism of recent tariffs, which cut Jordan’s 2025 GDP growth forecast from 2.1 percent to 1.6 percent. Texas’s strategy prioritizes long-term gains over short-term posturing, ensuring both regions thrive while bolstering America’s global influence.
What happens if we ignore Jordan’s potential? Rivals like China, with their aggressive trade initiatives, will step in. Texas and Jordan are choosing a smarter path, rooted in shared prosperity and strategic foresight.
History backs this approach. Since the 1980s, economic ties with Jordan have reinforced its role as a key ally. Texas is building on that foundation, ensuring trade drives stability for generations.
Texas Sets the Global Pace
Texas isn’t sitting on the sidelines of global trade—it’s calling the shots. With a $2.7 trillion GDP and leadership in energy, technology, and defense, the state wields serious economic clout. By hosting King Abdullah II, Texas is flexing its muscle to forge partnerships that outpace federal efforts. This is state-led diplomacy done right: bold, focused, and results-oriented.
The roundtable delivered more than promises. Leaders from AMD, Raytheon, and other firms mapped out collaborations in semiconductors, green hydrogen, and digital services. These sectors are the future, and Texas is ensuring they flourish through strategic alliances. Jordan’s global market access pairs perfectly with Texas’s innovation engine.
Some question whether states should play such a big role in foreign affairs, arguing it overlaps with federal duties. But Texas’s track record proves the naysayers wrong. Since the 1980s, its global trade offices have driven exports and investment. From NAFTA to today’s roundtables, Texas has led the way, inspiring others like California to follow.
Today’s supply chain challenges demand this leadership. Decades of disruptions—from the 2008 financial crisis to recent pandemics—show the risks of relying on distant suppliers. Now, 86 percent of firms are diversifying, with Mexico and Canada gaining ground. Texas and Jordan’s partnership aligns with this shift, securing critical industries with trusted allies.
What’s the cost of inaction? Losing ground to competitors. China’s global trade push is already targeting the Middle East. Texas’s initiative keeps America in the driver’s seat, locking in economic and strategic wins.
This effort proves that free markets and strong partnerships can deliver prosperity and security, even in turbulent times.
Building Tomorrow’s Economy
The Texas-Jordan partnership is a roadmap for success. By targeting semiconductors, green hydrogen, and defense manufacturing, both regions are investing in the technologies that will dominate tomorrow’s economy. Global trends support this focus: cleantech funding soared to $200 billion in 2025, and robotics investment hit $48 billion. Texas and Jordan are poised to lead this charge.
This collaboration also reaffirms the power of free trade. The 2001 US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement drove a 15.4 percent export surge in 2024, creating jobs and growth. Texas is committed to expanding this model, rejecting tariffs that weaken allies and empower rivals.
The way forward is straightforward. Texas and Jordan must deepen their ties, harnessing Texas’s export strength and Jordan’s trade networks to create jobs and secure supply chains. This partnership isn’t about quick wins—it’s about building a foundation for lasting prosperity and stability.