Rubio’s Uzbekistan visit: What’s driving the U.S. business push into Central Asia?

More than 200 U.S. business leaders have joined Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Uzbekistan as Washington steps up efforts to turn closer diplomatic ties with Central Asia into trade and investment deals.

Rubio arrived in Samarkand on 18 October for talks with representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan under the C5+1 framework.

• U.S. top diplomat Marco Rubio to visit India and Uzbekistan

According to the U.S. Department of State, the delegation aims to boost trade and investment cooperation with the five Central Asian republics.

The visit underscores Washington's growing interest in the region's critical minerals, energy resources and transport infrastructure.

But what can the U.S. offer Central Asia, and how much progress has already been made?

U.S.-Uzbekistan trade more than doubles

Trade figures point to a significant expansion in economic ties between Washington and Tashkent.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bilateral goods trade more than doubled, rising from $423 million in 2024 to approximately $1.05 billion in 2025.

U.S. imports from Uzbekistan surged from $42 million to nearly $575 million, while American exports to Uzbekistan grew at a slower pace, from $381 million to $474 million.

Why is Uzbekistan attracting U.S. business?

Uzbekistan was home to 336 enterprises with American capital as of 1 December 2025, according to the country's National Statistics Committee. Of those, 190 were wholly foreign-owned enterprises and 146 were joint ventures.

More than 70 per cent were concentrated in the capital, Tashkent, which accounted for 237 businesses. The Samarkand region, where Rubio is holding talks, was home to another 19.

Major commercial agreements are also gathering pace.

According to The Diplomat, Uzbekistan announced an $8.5 billion agreement in 2025 to purchase up to 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The publication also reported plans for a potential $3 billion investment by Air Products in a methanol production facility, discussed around the U.S.-Central Asia summit in November 2025.

Together, the projects highlight the two-way nature of the relationship: Uzbekistan is buying American technology and equipment, while U.S. companies are exploring opportunities to invest in its economy.

What do U.S. businesses want from Central Asia?

Critical minerals are at the heart of Washington's commercial ambitions.

Reuters reported, citing a Central Asian diplomat, that the Trump administration is seeking greater access to the region's rare earth minerals.

These materials are essential for advanced manufacturing, electronics, energy technologies and defence equipment.

But Washington's ambitions go well beyond mining.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation launched a U.S.-Uzbekistan Joint Investment Platform in June 2026, aimed at attracting investment in energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, transport and logistics.

That month, both governments also reached preliminary trade commitments.

Uzbekistan agreed to eliminate or reduce tariffs on certain American industrial and agricultural products, while Washington pledged to give favourable consideration to Uzbek goods when making future tariff decisions, according to The Diplomat, citing the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The measures are designed to open markets and encourage investment in industries considered strategically important by both countries.

How is Washington expanding its regional business footprint?

China has built extensive trade and infrastructure links across Central Asia, while Russia continues to wield significant economic and political influence in the five former Soviet republics.

The U.S. wants a bigger share of the region's commercial opportunities, but deeper ties with Washington do not necessarily mean Central Asian governments are looking to abandon their existing partners.

In a September 2024 analysis of U.S. policy towards the region, political researcher Otabek Akromov argued that stronger American economic engagement could give Central Asian countries greater leverage in negotiations with Moscow and Beijing.

For Washington, the test will be whether its renewed diplomatic push can deliver commercially viable projects.

Where does Azerbaijan fit into the U.S. strategy?

Washington's investment ambitions stretch beyond Central Asia into the South Caucasus.

The $201 million Trans-Caspian Enterprise Fund covers eight countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and the five Central Asian republics.

According to Reuters, the fund has identified critical minerals, energy and railway infrastructure as key investment priorities.

Azerbaijan already has a substantial business presence in Uzbekistan.

According to Uzbekistan's National Statistics Committee, 519 enterprises operating with foreign investment were linked to Azerbaijan as of 1 October 2026.

With 22,029 foreign-invested enterprises operating in Uzbekistan overall, Azerbaijan ranks among the leading countries represented in the country's business sector.

Azerbaijan's strategic importance also lies in the Middle Corridor, a transport network connecting Central Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

The route offers an alternative to trade corridors running through Russia, making it increasingly relevant to efforts to diversify regional trade.

Akromov's 2024 analysis highlighted investment in the Middle Corridor as a potential way for Washington to strengthen these connections.

As a key transit hub on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is therefore well placed to benefit from efforts to expand trade between Central Asia and European markets.

Will U.S. investment deliver lasting results?

The growing economic relationship is not limited to American investment in Uzbekistan. Uzbek businesses are also expanding into the U.S.

According to The Diplomat, Uzbek company AFKA is developing an aluminium manufacturing facility in Kentucky, which is expected to create 331 jobs once completed.

Uzbekistan also established a bilateral Business and Investment Council with the U.S. in November 2025, according to The Times of Central Asia.

The council aims to turn commercial discussions into partnerships following the C5+1 summit hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

For Central Asian governments, closer economic ties with Washington offer the prospect of fresh capital, advanced technology and wider export markets without sacrificing longstanding relationships with China and Russia.

For the U.S., the real measure of success will be whether diplomatic momentum translates into investment, new businesses and sustainable trade.

Tags

Marco Rubio Uzbekistan U.S. Central Asia U.S. foreign policy Foreign investment Azerbaijan Middle Corridor caspian trade