The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States coincides with a significant milestone in Central Asia-U.S. relations: the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 format. Bipartisan support in the U.S. has long underpinned engagement with Central Asia, but Trump’s return to the presidency has sparked renewed optimism about the potential for deeper strategic ties between the U.S. and the region. Although Central Asia may not rank among the top foreign policy priorities of the Trump administration, the region remains optimistic about deepening its partnership with the United States.
In recent months, there has been a notable uptick in interest in Central Asia among U.S. policymakers. During a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) underscored the strategic importance of Central Asia, emphasizing the need for “more friends in Central Asia” following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He highlighted the importance of the C5+1 format, advocated for improved trade relations with the region, and called for repealing the outdated Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
In addition, U.S. experts have called for enhancing official interactions, including encouraging the first-ever U.S. presidential visit to the region, bilateral visits by leaders from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Washington, and deeper cooperation in security, energy, transportation, and critical minerals. These all suggest the potential for positive shifts in U.S. policy toward Central Asia.
As we enter a new era of strategic partnership with the United States under the Trump administration, there are several key areas where collaboration can be enhanced.
First and foremost, the United States can deepen its engagement with Central Asia through high-level political dialogue. In an era marked by global uncertainty, the countries of the region increasingly seek to collectively champion their interests on the international stage and coordinate efforts to address shared challenges. A high-level visit by a sitting U.S. president to Uzbekistan and neighboring countries would symbolize this commitment and underscore the importance of the region.
Second, the United States can also capitalize on supporting connectivity projects. Central Asia, at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, is re-emerging as a crucial link between east and west, north and south. In particular, Uzbekistan is spearheading regional connectivity initiatives, such as the development of the Middle Corridor’s secondary route through Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. These projects strengthen supply chains and diversify transportation routes across Eurasia.
Another transformative initiative is the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway, which will dramatically reduce goods delivery times from 35 days to just three and cut shipping costs by two-thirds. With the final route (Termez-Naibabad-Logar-Kharlachi) agreed upon in July 2023 and the first freight cars arriving at Naibabad in August, the project represents a milestone in regional connectivity.
The growing integration of Central Asia with Western trade routes, particularly via the multimodal Middle Corridor, presents new opportunities for U.S. engagement. U.S. support for such initiatives would enhance regional stability and open new trade opportunities for American businesses.
Third, the United States’ economic engagement with Uzbekistan could be best exercised through more active private-sector engagement that catalyzes a sustainable and comprehensive economic transformation. Together, the United States and Uzbekistan can prioritize and develop strategic business partnerships where investors and willing partners engage in sectors such as technological innovations, digital commerce, critical minerals, agribusiness, finance, banking, and many more. For instance, collaboration on critical minerals and rare earth elements could help the U.S. diversify its supply chains, strengthening its defense, manufacturing, and technological competitiveness.
Fourth, the U.S. can also engage with Central Asian countries on counterterrorism, border security, and regional stability initiatives aligned with their shared interests. The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have heightened threats from extremist ideologies and terrorist organizations. Analysts at the Hudson Institute stress that bolstering U.S. partnerships with Central Asian countries is critical for combating terrorism, maintaining regional stability, and preventing threats emanating from Afghanistan.
Fifth, Uzbekistan and the U.S. support an open rules-based global economy. Expanding collaboration within international platforms, such as the United Nations and the C5+1 framework, can yield tangible results in areas like infrastructure development, energy, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. As Uzbekistan strives to join the global economy, Tashkent looks forward to expanding its collaboration with the U.S. on accession to the World Trade Organization – an absolute priority for the Uzbek government.
Additionally, the $1 billion memorandum of understanding signed with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in 2021 holds promise for promoting regional economic integration and prosperity.
Over the past several years, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, established in 2018, have become an essential platform for fostering regional cooperation. Recent global trends and regional developments have opened new avenues for Central Asia to enhance cooperation with the Caspian region and pursue independent growth trajectories. Azerbaijan’s inclusion in these meetings since 2023 underscores the growing importance of collaboration between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Joint development of transportation corridors facilitates trade and strengthens economic ties, laying the foundation for a resilient and interconnected future.
The shifting geopolitical landscape presents the U.S. with a unique opportunity to adopt a more proactive foreign policy toward Central Asia. By deepening partnerships in trade, investment, science, technology, education, and capacity building and engaging through international financial institutions, the U.S. can help Central Asia build resilience and achieve sustainable growth.
As the Trump administration charts its foreign policy course, a stronger Central Asia-U.S. partnership can serve as a model for mutually beneficial cooperation, fostering regional stability and unlocking new opportunities for economic and strategic collaboration.