Transatlantic Ties and Technological Frontiers: Top Takeaways from the 2026 Texas-Europe Business Summit

This post was created following attendance at the 2026 Texas-Europe Business Summit on March 31st, 2026, organized by the University of Texas at Austin Center of European Studies and World Affairs Council of Austin.

*The information shared is only for context and does not constitute an official endorsement of Internatnotes Blog.

Introduction

It has now been roughly a year since the idea of starting a blog had crossed my mind on some April afternoon. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to embark on a path of independent topic exploration, liberated from theoretical practice, and, of course, sparking a passion for independent writing. 

Whether delving into the intricacies of century-old treaties on Arctic militarization or discussing future trends in civic participation with foreign entities, this experience thus far has been nothing short of a catalyst, drawing a curiosity that spans beyond a gray keyboard and complimentary passion fruit tea mug. 

This project of mine, initially starting as a relatively nascent attempt to build a professional interest, recently led me on a morning drive towards the growing Austin skyline, towards the University of Texas at Austin.  At last, on March 31st, 2026, I’d spent my morning attending the 2026 Texas-Europe Business Summit, hosted by the Center for European Studies and the World Affairs Council of Austin. For a novice such as myself, it was an experience encompassing endless insights into education, technology, and logistics. 

1. The Rise of Space Economies and European Space Sovereignty

Just about twenty hours before the Artemis III launch, it was particularly ironic that the themes of space exploration were reviewed by the conference’s associates. In the opening sessions, panelists from over seven global regions had taken the stage. However, I’ll admit that on a historical basis, space has never been a topic of overwhelming intrigue for me. Any field that demands a distinct understanding of advanced physics and astronomy seems to be capable of projecting me out of a cognitive orbit. Still, a sense of determination, alongside pockets of enthusiasm,  kept me attentive for the session’s hour-long span. 

Texas, particularly in its southern and coastal regions, is undoubtedly known for its contributions to space exploration. Of course, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been rooted in Houston since 1961, and in recent decades, the establishment of the trillion-dollar space transportation company SpaceX, which has launched over six hundred missions. 

Nevertheless, a critical talking point discussed among the associates was the exponential decrease in launch costs. Frank Trevino, managing partner of Illuminus Space Venture, had noted that in the past, costs to launch were $15,000 to $20,000 USD per kilogram, but as of present times, in which rocket reusability has been harnessed, that price is now $1,500 per kilogram, and experts aim to decrease it to a mere $25 per kilogram. 

As a result, the plummet of costs has allowed for the increase in new business models, such as those seen in in-space manufacturing methods. This process has been evident in the case of the European Space Agency’s establishment of wire-directed energy deposition, or the rise of Varda Space Industries. While Australia currently serves as a major stakeholder for receiving the final products, it was noted that Midland, Texas, is advocating for its own stake, once more expanding on the narrative of Texas’s growing role in global industry. 

Furthermore, in regard to international cooperation, the panel later shifted its discussion to an additional trend: direct EU and European investment into space systems. In the past, Europe held a small share of space investment systems—specifically 11% in 2023, according to the European Space Agency—but the recent decade has revealed new directives for the region. Specifically, the Horizons Europe Program, the European Union’s research initiative, has doubled its budget to 200 billion USD with the intention to expand aerospace capacity, in addition to the creation of the new European Competitiveness Fund, in which the equivalent of 500 billion USD will be invested, so that further regional startups can be instituted.

As a whole, developments were emphasized as a way to counter the dual American and Chinese dominance in the domain, and ultimately, what initially appeared as a dense sixty-minutes had resulted in a critical personal reminder: every environmental domain, whether land, air, sea, or now the void of tomorrow, can rearrange geopolitical significance. 

1. Texas’s Shift from "Big Oil" to "Big Energy"

Returning from a review of the geopolitical cosmos, I was struck by the next emphasis of discussion: energy. And yes, while I’ve been aware of the role by which energy sources are viewed in national conversation, such as with sustainable and renewable integration and grid stability, it was notably intriguing to see such dialouge current energy solutions and trends among national representatives with my own eyes. 

These conversations, at last, had taken place in the second discussion of the event among the Energy and Transportation panelists. In this setting, such topics were introduced by Richard D. Smith, the executive director of the Texas EV Alliance, who had called upon Texas’s role in wind and solar energy, in addition to battery storage. Notably, the state is first in combined wind and solar energy and accounts for a quarter of all American wind energy across its 261,000 square miles. 

Nonetheless, the state is known for its historical strength: oil. Specifically, as mentioned by Smith, who had noted that growing up in Houston meant you worked in oil despite your actual occupation, as it served nonetheless as the state’s economic engine. However, in 2026, and in the rising age of artificial intelligence, it was asserted that Texas will strive towards greater energy efficiency and balance—especially when compared to regions such as Quebec, whose representatives were in attendance and strategically highlighted the region’s 99% reliance on hydropower. 

In time, the narrative was transparent: Texas must increase its energy generation by 86% in the next six years to stay on pace with the current shift towards data center creation across the state. Although the concept and verbiage of "bring your own generation"  (BYOG), a mindset by which AI centers aiming to set foot in the state must be capable of their own on-site generation, was an entirely new concept to me, and now prompts a striking pursuit of interest in interpreting future national energy policies. 

Moreover, beyond discussions centered on the American South’s technology ventures, the transportation panel had drawn connections between the success of Western Europe and Quebec in sustainable energy generation and, more precisely, the creation of green streets, such as those seen in Lisbon, Portugal, that tackle trapped urban heat. In the case of Texas, it will become increasingly crucial for the state to collaborate and recognize the innovations made on a global scale. Such practices will allow for the influx of a reenergized workforce, given that “combining Europe’s systems approach with American capacity,” was asserted by panelists as a positive approach for sustainable development. 

3. The Reality of the Modern Polycrisis and Interwoven Policy

Beyond strictly technological spheres, perhaps one of my favorite takeaways following the experience included the words of Dr. Mosser throughout his keynote speech, “Europe at the Crossroads: What Now (and What Next)?” As of the present day, there lie countless conflicts scattered across the seven continents, and therefore, such an opportunity to immerse oneself in the comments of Mosser, the director of the university’s European studies center and an associate professor of international relations, global studies, and government, was evidently compelling.

To specify, Mosser had addressed the idea of “polycrisis”, explaining the connections among national security, democracy, and prosperity in three specific terms: interwovenness as the connection between sectors, interconnecteness as global connections despite geography, and interlocking as a term for policies that are capable of reinforcing all of these characteristics at once. Although such a finding can be initially interpreted as broad, its evidence in recent years has been notable, such as how Texas is embracing BYOG to ensure that the rise in tech, an economic opportunity, doesn’t result in grid instability, a security concern, and escalate civilian tensions, which would result in civic and governmental concerns. 

However, a notable case of reflection includes Ukraine. To clarify, Mosser asserted that treating Ukraine as "only security" or inflation as "only technocratic" is a mistake. For instance, one could observe how natural prices had risen by 180% across the continent following the start of the Ukrainian conflict, initially sparking backlash among civilian populations that sparked legislative and social change, and at last, represents the sheer connection between a nation’s energy, security, and democratic characteristics and how these factors can be influenced by global events. In 2022, this was especially the case for those in Germany who had advocated to shift oil reliance away from Russia and, as a result, established the LNG Acceleration Act to do so. Even today, this can still be seen with the increase of Ukrainian refugees across Europe, an interlocking attribute, in response to the current energy crisis.

In the case of modern sovereignty, a nation’s strength cannot be solely reviewed through an independent review of a singular silo, but through an analysis to understand the chokepoints that exist between its relations that could be vulnerable in times of conflict, such as those that exist today. Moreover, while the concept of interconnected nature is not foreign to any degree, his keynote encouraged me to approach current events through different lenses—possibly in the form of a challenge. In future analysis, could I interpret a regional environmental concern through its subsequent security concerns? Or a national welfare issue through the lens of the global economy? The answer, I’ve realized, requires the understanding and meticulous deciphering of various disciplines.

What is the Texas-Europe Business Summit?

As of 2026, the state of Texas serves as the top state exporter to the European Union. In light of this environment, entered in the heart of the Texan capital, the premier summit draws economic professionals and entrepreneurs with global backgrounds to discuss trade and investment opportunities while facilitating critical networking channels between American and European-based professionals.