President Donald Trump welcomed leaders from five Central Asian nations to the White House on Thursday as his administration ramps up efforts to secure rare earth metals critical for smartphones, electric vehicles, fighter jets, and other high-tech industries.
Trump hosted leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for a working dinner.
“In recent weeks, my administration has strengthened American economic security by forging agreements with allies and friends across the world to broaden our critical minerals supply chains,” Trump said, according to Bloomberg.
Trump also announced a landmark trade and economic deal with Uzbekistan, which includes nearly $35 billion in U.S. investment over the next three years, with projections suggesting total investments could exceed $100 billion over a decade.
These investments are expected to cover sectors such as rare earth mining, aerospace, automotive components, infrastructure, agriculture, energy, chemicals, and information technology.
The administration recently updated its list of strategic minerals deemed essential to national security and economic resilience, adding copper and metallurgical coal.
This diplomatic push comes as U.S.-China trade tensions ease, particularly around rare earth supplies. China currently dominates the global market, producing about 70% of the world’s rare earths and controlling 90% of mining operations, prompting Washington to seek alternative sources.
Central Asia’s resources make it a key target: Kazakhstan is the world’s top uranium producer, Uzbekistan has major gold reserves, Turkmenistan holds one of the largest natural gas reserves globally, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are actively exploring new mineral deposits.
