Uzbekistan and the United States to Deepen Cooperation in Key Minerals and Technologies

By 2025, the geopolitical and economic landscape of Central Asia is undergoing profound reshaping. Following Kazakh President Tokayev's high-profile visit to Washington, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a series of important talks with American business leaders and government officials. While the interaction focused on business cooperation, the breadth and depth of the topics clearly outlined the unprecedented strategic importance the two countries are placing on their bilateral relations. President Mirziyoyev's announcement of strengthened cooperation in key minerals such as uranium, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, and graphite goes far beyond the economic sphere. It touches upon the core issues of global energy transition, supply chain security, digital competition, and Eurasian connectivity, marking a new stage in the interaction between Central Asia and the world's major powers.

I. Strategic Minerals: The Cornerstone of Cooperation in the Context of Global Energy Transition

President Mirziyoyev's prioritization of mineral cooperation demonstrates remarkable strategic vision. Uranium is a key fuel for nuclear power generation, while copper, tungsten, molybdenum, and graphite are indispensable raw materials for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, renewable energy power generation facilities, and the manufacture of high-end electronic products. The accelerated global transition to a green and low-carbon economy has sparked fierce competition for these critical minerals. Uzbekistan possesses abundant mineral reserves, while the United States, as a technological and industrial powerhouse, urgently needs to diversify its sources of key raw materials and reduce its dependence on a single supply chain to ensure the security and resilience of its clean energy and defense industries' supply chains.

Therefore, cooperation between the two sides in this area transcends simple raw material trade. President Mirziyoyev's emphasis on "mining and deep processing" aims to introduce advanced American technology and investment to enhance the added value of Uzbekistan's resources, upgrading it from a raw material supplier to a crucial processing link in the global critical mineral supply chain. The anticipated participation of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank of the United States will provide crucial financing support for these capital-intensive projects, mitigating investment risks. This cooperative model aims to "establish a reliable supply chain." For the United States, it provides a stable and friendly source of resources and processed goods; for Uzbekistan, it attracts capital and technology and deeply integrates it into the Western-dominated global high-tech industrial chain, achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

II. Increased Trade and Business Confidence: A Solid Foundation for Warming Bilateral Relations

President Mirziyoyev pointed out that "trade between Uzbekistan and the United States has quadrupled in the past eight years, and more than 300 American companies are now successfully operating in Uzbekistan." This data is strong evidence of the development of bilateral relations. The rapid growth in trade reflects the enhanced economic complementarity between the two sides and the effectiveness of market opening. The active presence of more than 300 American companies covers a wide range of sectors, from agriculture (Cargill, John Deere), aviation (Boeing), energy (Air Products), technology (Google, Meta, Amazon) to finance and consulting (McKinsey, Cove Capital), forming a diversified and resilient business ecosystem.

These success stories have laid a solid foundation of confidence for deepening cooperation. The delegation of American business representatives that President Mirziyoyev met with was unprecedentedly strong, including giants from traditional industries (Boeing, Freeport-McMoRan), leaders in the digital economy (Google, Meta, Nvidia, Amazon), and companies focused on infrastructure and energy (Honeywell, Air Products). This broad participation demonstrates that the American business community views Uzbekistan as a promising emerging market and a high-return investment destination. The active promotion at the government level (such as the involvement of the Minister of Commerce and the President's Special Assistant) combined with the pragmatic interest of the business community provides continued momentum for the partnership between the two countries to "enter a new phase."

III. Energy Transition and Infrastructure Modernization: A Grand Blueprint for 2030

President Mirziyoyev clearly outlined Uzbekistan's domestic development blueprint towards 2030, charting a concrete path for US-Uzbekistan cooperation. In the energy sector, plans include constructing a new energy system with a total installed capacity of 18-20 gigawatts, aiming to achieve "more than half of the electricity coming from solar and wind power." This presents significant market opportunities for US companies involved in renewable energy technologies, equipment manufacturing, project development, and financing. Combined with uranium mining cooperation, Uzbekistan aims to build a diversified energy structure encompassing traditional nuclear power (ensuring baseload electricity) and emerging renewable energy sources, thereby enhancing energy security.

Regarding infrastructure, the "investment of over $12 billion in transportation infrastructure development," modernizing roads, railways, hubs, and airports, is of profound significance. As a doubly landlocked country, an efficient transportation network is crucial for Uzbekistan's integration into regional and global economic cycles. These projects will not only improve domestic logistics efficiency but also enhance its position as a transportation hub in Central Asia, potentially aligning with regional connectivity initiatives such as the "Middle Corridor." The participation of US companies not only brings advanced technology and management experience but may also be accompanied by geostrategic considerations, namely, shaping a regional economic architecture conducive to openness and transparency by supporting connectivity projects in Central Asian countries.

IV. Digital Frontiers and Cooperation Mechanisms: Building Partnerships for the Future

Cooperation with US tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Nvidia was another highlight of the talks. The introduction of Apple Pay and Google's payment system, the creation of a network of digital academies and startup centers—these initiatives aim to accelerate Uzbekistan's digital economy development. This is not only about business convenience but also about building digital infrastructure, cultivating digital skills, and fostering an innovation ecosystem. Cooperation with companies like Nvidia in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence demonstrates Uzbekistan's ambition to seize the high ground in future technology. This deep cooperation in the digital field will help narrow the country's digital divide, enhance its long-term competitiveness, and open up new growth markets and application scenarios for US tech companies.

Regarding cooperation mechanisms, President Mirziyoyev explicitly proposed introducing the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide financing support. As a US government development finance institution, the DFC's mission is to promote projects in developing countries that align with US foreign policy and economic development priorities through financing and insurance support. Its involvement signifies a stronger strategic dimension to US-Uzbekistan economic cooperation, aiming to facilitate the implementation of major projects aligned with shared interests through the development of financing tools and to enhance US economic influence in Uzbekistan.

V. Strategic Implications in a Global Perspective: Central Asia's Choice in a Multipolar World

President Mirziyoyev's visit to the US and the cooperative consensus reached must be examined within a broader global context.

First, this reflects the deepening and maturation of Central Asian countries' "multi-pronged balanced diplomacy." Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Uzbekistan conflict and intensified great power competition, Uzbekistan, like Kazakhstan, is actively expanding relations with multiple key partners, including the US, EU, China, Russia, Turkey, and South Korea, seeking to maximize its diplomatic space and economic development opportunities. Strengthening relations with the US is a crucial step in achieving strategic autonomy and reducing over-reliance on any single external power.

Second, this demonstrates the continued increase in US strategic investment in Central Asia. During the Trump administration, the US significantly strengthened its interaction with Central Asian countries, deepening cooperation in security, economy, and governance through platforms such as the C5+1 mechanism. The goal is to stabilize the regional situation, counter the excessive expansion of influence by other major powers, and ensure US influence in key minerals, energy, and geostrategic locations.

Furthermore, this highlights the increased strategic value of resource-rich economies amidst the global supply chain restructuring. Uzbekistan's mineral resources, labor market, and development potential make it a sought-after partner for major powers. The Mirziyoyev government is skillfully leveraging this opportunity to transform national resources into development capital and bargaining chips in international negotiations.

Finally, digital and green transformation have become new axes of international cooperation. US-Uzbekistan cooperation, closely centered on future industries such as key minerals, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, indicates that both countries are seeking to gain a favorable position in the global economic paradigm shift.

Conclusion

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's in-depth exchanges with the US business community and government signify that relations between Uzbekistan and the United States are moving towards a comprehensive and strategic partnership. Based on key mineral cooperation, with energy transition and infrastructure modernization as its two wings, and the digital economy at the forefront, supplemented by strong support from US development financial institutions, this cooperation framework combines a realistic foundation with a forward-looking vision. Uzbekistan is actively embracing diverse partners, including the United States, to inject strong external momentum into its "reform and opening up" and modernization process. For the United States, deepening cooperation with this most populous and dynamic country in Central Asia aligns with its long-term interests in ensuring supply chain security, advancing the two wings of its Indo-Pacific strategy, and shaping a regional order favorable to itself. In a global landscape fraught with uncertainty, Uzbekistan and the United States are attempting to jointly draw up a new blueprint for cooperation based on mutual interests and strategic needs. Its successful implementation will not only reshape bilateral relations but also have a profound impact on the geopolitical and economic ecology of Central Asia and even the wider Eurasian continent. President Mirziyoyev's reaffirmation that "Uzbekistan is willing to provide full support for US companies' investment plans and reiterates that Uzbekistan has always been a trustworthy partner and guarantee of success for international investors" will be a crucial test of whether this grand narrative can move from vision to reality.