US Secretary of State Rubio pitches commercial, critical-minerals deals in Central Asia

During a visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled Washington's intent to deepen economic engagement in Central Asia, including new commercial agreements and cooperation on critical minerals. This marks a notable US push into a region traditionally dominated by Russian and Chinese influence, though specific deal terms and timelines remain unspecified. The move could signal a strategic shift in US posture toward Central Asia, with implications for regional power dynamics and supply-chain diversification.