The United States government has signed a landmark agreement with Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous nation, to secure access to critical minerals and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media, this strategic move supported by US President Donald Trump is designed to counter China's long-standing dominance over essential resources and their global supply chains.
The "Joint Investment Framework," established by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), aims to foster strategic cooperation between the two nations. Under the terms of the document, investments will span all stages of the mineral value chain, from extraction to processing. Furthermore, the plan includes the creation of a new "Joint Investment Holding Company" to oversee future mineral and infrastructure projects.
Uzbekistan holds a significant global position due to its vast reserves of gold, uranium, and copper, and also possesses substantial untapped deposits of lithium and tungsten. These minerals are vital for high-tech industries, including the production of electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. The partnership reflects a broader strategy by the United States to expand its influence in Central Asia, a region traditionally within the spheres of influence of Russia and China.
Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the "Board of Peace" meeting held in Washington on February 19, where he emphasized the importance of economic reforms and international cooperation. The DFC stated that the new framework agreement will promote shared economic interests and stimulate joint investment in strategic sectors. The corporation is already leading similar mineral initiatives in Ukraine and several African nations to ensure resource security.
