Trump Calls Central Asia “An Extremely Wealthy Region”
US President Donald Trump on Thursday emphasised critical minerals as a key priority during a White House summit with leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The meeting aimed to expand US influence in a region rich in resources long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.
Trump called Central Asia «an extremely wealthy region,» adding:
«One of the key items on our agenda is critical minerals. In recent weeks, my administration has strengthened American economic security by forging agreements with allies and friends across the world to broaden our critical mineral supply chains.»
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the meeting as «the beginning of a new era of interaction between the United States and Central Asia.» Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called Trump «the president of the world» and proposed a permanent Central Asia secretariat. Later, Trump announced on Truth Social that Uzbekistan plans to invest over $100 bn in US sectors over the next decade, including aviation, automotive parts and critical minerals.
The C5+1 platform, launched in 2015, brings the US together with the five Central Asian states to advance economic, energy and security cooperation.
Business Deals and Strategic Importance
Business deals were announced alongside government talks, including Boeing selling up to 37 planes to airlines in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and US firm Cove Capital mining tungsten in Kazakhstan with government support.
Gracelin Baskaran of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said:
«As China and Russia entrench their control over the region’s mining, processing and infrastructure systems, Washington is seeking to establish a tangible foothold through targeted strategic projects.»
The five nations are rich in minerals such as uranium, copper, gold and rare earths. Kazakhstan produces nearly 40% of the world’s uranium, while Uzbekistan ranks in the top five. Together they supply over half of global uranium, a vital resource for US nuclear power.
