Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US eyes sources for critical minerals
The C5+1 summit marks Washington’s effort to expand influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China
US President Donald Trump on Thursday called critical minerals a key priority as he hosted the leaders of five Central Asian nations at the White House, emphasising his administration’s efforts to expand and secure US supply chains through new global agreements.
The meeting with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan came as Washington sought to expand its influence in a resource-rich region long dominated by Russia and increasingly courted by China.
Trump called Central Asia “an extremely wealthy region”, saying he wanted to make America’s partnership with the five countries stronger.
“One of the key items on our agenda is critical minerals,” Trump said. “In recent weeks, my administration has strengthened American economic security by forging agreements with allies and friends across the world to broaden our critical mineral supply chains.”
The talks took place amid intensifying competition for Central Asia’s vast mineral wealth - which includes uranium, copper, gold and rare earths - as Western nations move to diversify supply chains away from Moscow and Beijing.