During a recent visit to Uzbekistan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $12 billion in agreements aimed at enhancing economic ties between the United States and Central Asian nations. The visit, which took place in Samarkand on October 19, included participation from a large American delegation and meetings with foreign ministers from all five Central Asian states. Uzbekistan emerged as a key beneficiary of the discussions, with officials highlighting the need for a transparent investment climate to attract foreign capital. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed optimism about the agreements, which span various economic sectors, and indicated that an action plan would be developed to ensure their implementation.
Kazakhstan also welcomed the developments, although it did not secure specific business deals during Rubio’s visit. The Kazinform state news agency noted that the visit provided fresh momentum for US-Central Asia relations, with Astana appreciating the US’s commitment to a non-zero-sum economic policy that allows for continued partnerships with both American and Chinese models of development. Kazakh officials are particularly keen on the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions, which they believe would further enhance bilateral trade.
In addition to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan expressed interest in expanding its ties with the US and its regional neighbours. The Turkmen Foreign Ministry reiterated the country’s intent to integrate into emerging regional trade systems and called for increased educational exchanges with the United States.
While the US’s charm offensive in Central Asia appears to be yielding positive results, China remains a significant player in the region. On the same day as Rubio’s meetings, Chinese Premier Li Qiang was in Tajikistan, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to supporting priority projects in the country, including advancements in artificial intelligence. The contrasting approaches of the US and China highlight the complex geopolitical landscape in Central Asia, where nations are navigating their relationships with multiple global powers while seeking to enhance their own economic prospects.
US Courts Central Asia’s Tungsten, Uranium and Rare Earths in Samarkand Push
Washington pairs a 100-company delegation with a processing-first pitch, but the $12 billion in announced Uzbek deals remains unproven.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used the 19 October C5+1 ministerial in Samarkand to press Washington’s case for a larger role in Central Asia’s mineral sector. He arrived with a business delegation of more than 100 US companies, a sign that the US wants closed deals rather than another communiqué. Uzbekistan reported agreements potentially worth $12 billion across several sectors, though the sector split has not been published.
Resource base and the processing question
The region hosts significant tungsten, uranium, rare earth and copper resources, and the C5+1’s Critical Minerals Dialogue runs alongside the main track. The open questions are commercial: which projects are bankable, who funds exploration and supplies geological data, and how much processing stays in the region. The republics want value-added output rather than raw-ore exports, a position Uzbekistan has stated openly. Regional water scarcity may limit how much processing capacity can be built. Analysts argue the ministers should settle on a short list of flagship projects with named partners and timelines, backed by transparent licensing and investor protections.
Finance, access and logistics
US Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank funding are Washington’s main tools for closing deals. Kazakhstan, which left without specific agreements, is pressing for repeal of Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. The administration supports repeal, but Congress has not acted.
Export routing remains a constraint. The Trans-Caspian (Middle Corridor) route offers an alternative to Russian transit, but port capacity, rail interoperability, customs delays and stacked tariffs limit throughput. Turkmenistan has restated its intention to integrate into trans-Caspian trade.
Implementation risk
Kazakh commentary noted that the headline figures are contracts and planned transactions, not completed investment, and the joint statement carries no binding financial commitments. Tashkent has acknowledged that its investment climate must become more transparent and predictable, and a US-Uzbek business council is intended to track which announcements reach financial close.
Competitive context
Washington has said it will not require the republics to abandon ties with Moscow or Beijing. Kazakhstan sits in both the US-led Pax Silica and the Chinese-led WAICO groupings. China remains entrenched: Premier Li Qiang was in Dushanbe on the same day, discussing priority projects with Tajikistan, where trade reached about $2.5 billion in the first eight months of 2026.
Watch list: the content of Uzbekistan’s implementation plan, Congressional action on Jackson-Vanik, and a possible Rubio visit to Kazakhstan after the December G20.
