Rubio says US wants long-term deals in Uzbekistan and Central Asia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said American companies are preparing to announce new agreements in Uzbekistan potentially worth billions of dollars, as Washington seeks to expand its economic presence in Central Asia without forcing regional governments to choose between major powers.
Speaking to Euronews in Samarkand on October 19, Rubio said the agreements would mark the beginning of a broader US commitment to the region, which he acknowledged had received insufficient attention from American policymakers.
«I think we’ll have some concrete deals to announce,» Rubio said when asked what Uzbekistan could expect from his visit and the accompanying business delegation.
He added that American companies were interested in establishing operations in Uzbekistan and that announcements would follow the investment forum.
«This is not the end. This is the beginning,» he said.
According to Rubio, nearly 300 American companies are represented in Samarkand, with potential agreements worth billions of dollars under discussion. The US State Department previously reported that more than 200 business executives were accompanying the visit.
However, the final value and details of the agreements had not been disclosed at the time of his remarks.
Critical minerals emerge as priority for US-Uzbekistan cooperation
Rubio identified critical minerals as a promising area for cooperation, highlighting the importance of developing alternative supply chains for industries increasingly dependent on these resources.
«It’s just not smart for the whole world to depend on one place for 100% of anything,» he said, clarifying that his remarks were not directed at any particular country.
The secretary of state argued that resource-rich countries could benefit from developing their mineral deposits and establishing domestic processing facilities rather than relying solely on raw material exports.
He said Washington was interested in working with countries willing to develop their resources responsibly and sustainably.
«I think we have a chance to do that here,» Rubio said, referring to Uzbekistan.
Critical minerals were also discussed during the C5+1 summit hosted by US President Donald Trump in Washington in November 2025.
Uzbekistan and its Central Asian neighbours are seeking additional investment and technology to develop mineral resources, while the United States and Europe are working to diversify their supply chains.
Rubio says US is not asking Central Asia to choose between powers
Asked about China’s growing economic influence in Central Asia, Rubio said Washington viewed its involvement as competition rather than an attempt to restrict the region’s relationships with other countries.
«It’s not about coming here and demanding, ‘Stop talking to somebody else or stop working with another country,'» he said.
He acknowledged Uzbekistan’s openness to economic cooperation with different partners and praised the country’s rapid economic growth.
The comments come as Washington expands its diplomatic engagement with Central Asia, where Russia and China remain major economic partners.
Rubio’s programme in Samarkand includes talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and participation in the Uzbekistan–US Business and Investment Council.
The council is co-chaired by Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of Uzbekistan’s Presidential Administration, and US Special Envoy Sergio Gor.
Rubio also attended the C5+1 ministerial meeting, bringing together representatives of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The visit follows the November 2025 C5+1 summit in Washington, where commercial agreements and commitments exceeding $25bn were announced across the region. Those projects remain at different stages of implementation.
