The U.S. government has signed an agreement with Uzbekistan to secure better access to the Central Asian country's critical minerals, as U.S. President Donald Trump moves to counter China's dominance of crucial resources and their supply chains.
The "Joint Investment Framework", established with the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC) and Central Asia's most populous nation, aims to advance the two countries' strategic cooperation, an outline of the plan from the DFC said. It added that it will prioritise investments across the mineral value chain, including exploration, extraction, and processing.
It added that the plan also proposes a new Joint Investment Holding Company for future minerals and infrastructure projects.
Uzbekistan's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Resource reserves
As Central Asia's second-largest economy, Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of gold, uranium, and copper, alongside untapped deposits of critical minerals such as lithium and tungsten.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who visited Washington this week for the inaugural meeting of President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' on 19 February, has pursued an economic reform programme since taking office in 2016.
Bolstering influence
The pact highlights a broader U.S. strategy to increase its influence in the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, a region traditionally dominated by Russia and China.
In November, Trump also hosted Mirziyoyev, alongside the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan at the White House.
Uzbekistan expands uranium projects to boost exports and future nuclear cooperation
Earlier this month, a separate minerals summit resulted in initial agreements on critical supplies with 11 countries, including Uzbekistan.
The DFC stated the new framework will promote shared economic interests and encourage joint investment in strategic sectors. The organisation already plays a key role in a Ukraine minerals deal struck last year and is leading projects across several African countries.
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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
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Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
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