From June 28 to July 5, a delegation from the Patria Polonia Institute of the Scientific Society of the Catholic University of Lublin visited Texas, including professors Jacek Gołębiowski, Mieczysław Ryba, Przemysław Czarnek (former Minister of Education), Janusz Bień and Dr. Katarzyna Czarnek, Bartosz Rybak, and former Consul General in New York, Adrian Kubicki.
The delegation visited Texas at the invitation of the Association of Poles in Texas, supported by the Polish American Council of Texas and the Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria. On the Texas side, the organizers included Krzysztof and Dr. Małgorzata Gajda, Kathy Mazurkiewicz and Professor Jim Mazurkiewicz, Beata and Jan Wojciechowski, Alicja and Stanisław Futome, and many other members of the Association. The delegation's goal was to familiarize the Polish side with the development of Texas and the ideas that could be implemented in Poland. During this visit, we visited Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and the cradle of Polish settlement in the US – Panna Maria. On our return trip, we avoided the devastating flood that hit central Texas and made it to Dallas quickly and safely.
Economic Relations Between Poland and the USA
The United States is the world's largest economy and a significant trading partner for Poland, [a country] in Central/Eastern Europe. In May 2025, the United States exported $1.06 billion worth of goods to Poland and imported $1.14 billion worth of goods from Poland, resulting in a negative trade balance of $82.1 million.
According to the OEC ( www.oec.world ), between May 2024 and May 2025, U.S. exports to Poland decreased by $175 million (14.3%) – from $1.23 billion to $1.06 billion, while imports increased by $96.6 million (9.28%) – from $1.04 billion to $1.14 billion, mainly from the state of Texas.
In May 2025, the main goods exported by the United States to Poland were: aircraft parts (gliders, balloons, and powered aircraft) worth $209 million, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — $148 million, and refined crude oil — $58.5 million.
In the same month, the main goods imported by the United States from Poland were: gas turbines – $100 million, goods not classified in other categories – $64.6 million, and parts and accessories for motor vehicles (codes 8701–8705) – $50.6 million.
Poland imports from the USA mainly:
- machines and mechanical devices,
- aircraft and transport vehicles,
- chemical products, oil and gas,
- metallurgical products (steel, aluminum, non-ferrous metals),
- mineral resources (coal, metal ores),
- agri-food products (cereals, meat, fruit, vegetables),
- electronics and IT equipment.
Military Trade
Poland is one of the largest recipients of American military equipment. Purchases include:
- F-35 aircraft, Patriot systems, HIMARS,
- Abrams tanks (M1A1 and M1A2 SEP v.3),
- AH-64 Apache helicopters,
- Humvee, Cougar 4x4, M-ATV vehicles,
- command and communication systems,
- machines for infrastructure construction (UBM technology),
- VIP aircraft (Gulfstream G550, Boeing 737-800).
Some of the purchased equipment is covered by training contracts implemented in the USA.
A significant portion of US imports to Poland are vehicles, automotive components, and electronics—including smartphones, laptops, and other popular devices. Poland, in turn, exports parts for American cars to the US.
Visits to the capital of Texas — Austin
Upon arrival at the state capital, we visited the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, where Professor Mazurkiewicz introduced us to the history of Texas. We then toured the Texas State Capitol, a jewel of American architecture, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
In front of The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum (Source: W. Biniecki)
We were also invited to a gala dinner by the Austin Polish Society (APS) (austinpolishsociety.org), where we were shown the achievements of the APS over the past few years.
The following day was also very busy. With the Polish government and diplomatic missions inactive in advancing Polish interests, the Polish opposition is stepping up to the plate, working with the Polish diaspora in a bipartisan manner to maintain the stability of Polish interests. This is crucial in the state of Texas, where most Polish-American relations originate. Przemysław Czarnek, accompanied by Adrian Kubicki, former Polish Consul in New York, met with Deputy Secretary of State David Nelson. During the meeting, the essence of Polish-American relations, economic relations, and the importance of cooperation between the two allies, Poland and the United States, were discussed.
Meeting with Deputy Secretary of State David Nelson (Source: W. Biniecki)
The next meeting focused on economic relations and took place at the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA). This statewide trade association represents all aspects of the Texas oil and gas industry, including both small independent companies and major producers.
Przemysław Czarnek, accompanied by Consul Kubicki, met with Todd Stapies, President of Texas Oil and Gas.
The United States, the world's largest LNG exporter, sold 8.4 million metric tons of gas during June, down from 8.9 million metric tons in May and significantly below April's record of 9.3 million metric tons, according to LSEG. In the January-June 2025 period, the United States exported 52.2 million tons of LNG, which was a 20.2% year-on-year increase compared to 43.4 million tons shipped in the first half of 2024. Gas exports to Poland are mainly from Louisiana and Texas (Corpus Christi and Freeport, Texas).
Meeting with Todd Stapies, president of Texas Oil and Gas (Source: W. Biniecki)
Capital Factory — a Meeting with 21st Century Technology
What is Capital Factory? "Thousands of entrepreneurs, programmers, and designers meet day and night—in person and online—for meetups, classes, and collaborative work. Operating directly in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Washington (DC), we reach the best entrepreneurs outside of Silicon Valley and connect them with investors, employees, and clients."
According to Pitchbook, Capital Factory has been the most active investor in Texas since 2010. After visiting the place, I had no doubts—this is the largest factory of progress, something sorely lacking in Poland. During this visit, we were mentored by Fred Schmidt, Capital Factory's director of international affairs. This internationally recognized grandson of Jan Czochralski, born in Poland, has over 30 years of professional experience in areas such as strategy, operations, business development, marketing, and communications—across a broad cross-section of global technology, entertainment, and consumer goods industries, in both startup and corporate environments. His main specialization is computer and video games. Fred also has extensive experience in boardroom work and community outreach, and extensive international collaboration, particularly between the US, the UK, and the European Union. Fred further explains during his presentation: "Streamlining innovation means shortening procedures by transferring arms projects to civilian startups."
As the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) expands its technology sector relationships, investments, and coordinates its efforts with industry, AFWERX, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and NAVALX have joined forces to launch a new joint defense innovation center in Austin, Texas. Located in the Capital Factory, the space is adjacent to the Army Applications Laboratory and other government innovation units, allowing for greater collaboration between the organizations and increasing their accessibility to startups. Will the future government be able to leverage the contacts that the Texas Polish community introduced to the Polish delegation?
Meeting with Fred Schmidt, International Director of Capital Factory (Source: W. Biniecki)
Panna Maria — the Cradle of Polishness in the United States
Panna Maria is the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the United States, established during the first wave of emigration. It is a place of immense historical significance in the context of Polish history in the USA. This historic settlement is located in South Texas and has existed continuously since 1854. It is home to the first church, built under the leadership of Father Leopold Moczygęba, and the Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria, built with the efforts of the local Polish community for $14 million.
An important event took place there on July 3rd. Two presentations were presented in the packed conference room: "Poland's Position in the Contemporary World," presented by professors from the Catholic University of Lublin under the direction of Professor Przemysław Czarnek, and "The History and Role of the Polish American Community," presented by Waldemar Biniecki, editor-in-chief of the Milwaukee Kuryer Polski.
The event was moderated by Professor Jim Mazurkiewicz of Texas A&M University, and opened by Aloys Notzon, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Polish Heritage Center (PHC). Key PHC officials, including John Cebrowski, were present. During the presentation, important declarations were made regarding the cooperation of the Polish diaspora with the new centers of power in Poland.
Professor Czarnek declared, using the slogan that there are 60 million of us Poles in the world, not 37 million, and the time is coming to combine this potential and begin working together across divisions for Poland.
A representative of the Polish American community, editor Waldemar Biniecki, presented an interesting conclusion in his presentation. He concluded by saying: "Polonia has made a historic contribution to Poland's independence and prosperity. The time has come to honor this legacy with policies that will strengthen our shared future. The Polish diaspora is not a relic of the past—it is a powerful partner in shaping Poland's global role in the 21st century."
Meeting at Panna Maria (Source: W. Biniecki)
Conclusion
Unfortunately, President Ryszard Kaczorowski was not invited to the Round Table meeting [in 1989]. The then-opposition reached an agreement with the communists, dividing the Polish nation and rejecting emigration and all those who consider themselves Poles but live outside Poland.
It's time to finally rectify this state of affairs. The visit of the delegation of professors from the Catholic University of Lublin demonstrated that the Polish diaspora is one, that it is an added value, and that it is a powerful partner in shaping Poland's global role in the 21st century.
Special thanks are due to those who generously prepared this visit: Mr. Krzysztof Gajda, Prof. Jim Mazurkiewicz, John Cebrowski, and Alojzy Notzoń.
I am hereby authorized to extend an invitation to the future President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to visit Texas. Mr. President, we cordially invite you.
Translation from Polish by Andrew Wozniewicz.
