Cancel 2016.2
The Almighty
First, I imagine that relations between the United States and the newly independent Texas would not be peaches and cream and that the US would impose extremely harsh punitive sanctions on the fledgling state such that economic activity between Texas and the US would be non-existent. Think about the implications of that for a while and get back to me.
Now lets look at the other side of the sanctions war that would occur if the US were to do as you suggest...
1/3 of the known US oil supply.... GONE
1/5 of oil production and 1/3 of Nat Gas production in the US.... GONE
Top cattle producing state (roughly 20%)..... GONE
Top Cotton producting state (roughly 30%).... GONE
Top producer of fertilizers and other chemicals for farming.... GONE
TX manufacturers
1) its cotton into cotton cloth
2) Food processing plants
3) Electronics
4) Chemicals
Texas also is a leading producer of cement, gravel, sand, lime...
Then bring in the fact that in addition to the livestock, TX also has access to the Gulf's supply of trout, snapper, oysters, clams etc...
yeah, it would be a great idea for the US to start a sanctions war against TX.