Nicholas Merrick, the U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic, is actively working to deepen military and economic cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing a shared history and growing partnership. His approach combines efforts to strengthen defense ties with initiatives aimed at expanding trade and investment.

Earlier this year, Merrick joined Matt Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, on a delegation to Texas and California that included visits to major defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin. The visit featured a tour of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, underscoring the Czech Republic’s ongoing $5 billion agreement to acquire F-35 fighter jets, with the first deliveries expected in 2029. The delegation also engaged with smaller defense firms, including Dallas-area companies Shield AI and Firehawk Aerospace.

Trade discussions received a boost during a trip to Texas where Merrick was accompanied by Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlícek. The two signed a “declaration of cooperation,” the first of its kind between Czechia and a U.S. state, intended to broaden commercial ties and create new opportunities for Czech businesses in Texas. Merrick characterized the Czech economy as “dynamic and innovative” and expressed a desire to see increased U.S. business involvement.

Energy cooperation marks another area of progress. Once reliant on Russia for natural gas, Czechia now sources much of its supply from Texas. Military collaboration is longstanding as well, with joint efforts evident in disaster response: Texas provided assistance following floods in Czechia, while Czech search-and-rescue teams aided Central Texas during flooding last summer.

Merrick also highlighted the enduring goodwill between the United States and the Czech Republic, rooted in their shared history during World War II and the subsequent Soviet era. In Pilsen, western Czechia, a monument with twin granite pillars bears the inscription “Thank you, America,” commemorating the city’s liberation in 1945. Merrick has participated in related commemorations featuring vintage World War II vehicles and period reenactments, even driving a U.S.-made Willys Jeep used by Allied forces during the conflict.

Drawing cultural parallels between Texans and Czechs, Merrick noted similar attitudes toward authority and a mutual appreciation for outdoor traditions like hunting and fishing. Reflecting on a recent visit to southern Czechia, he recounted encountering a folk band that incorporated American country music into its repertoire, including John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Merrick’s personal connection to the region traces back to a great-great-grandfather who emigrated from Croatia during the Austro-Hungarian Empire era. His background in business and diplomacy informs his efforts to ratchet up U.S.-Czech relations at a pivotal time for both defense and trade cooperation.