Uzbekistan announced 54 agreements worth $12 billion with American partners during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Samarkand. China still holds a large economic lead in the country, with nearly $60 billion in agreed projects.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led an almost 300-strong American business delegation to the Uzbek city of Samarkand, where on October 19 he held talks with the foreign ministers from all five Central Asian states. Uzbek media, citing the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, reported at least 54 business deals worth $12 billion.
The agreements cover industry, transport and energy infrastructure, critical minerals, the financial sector, digital technologies, agriculture, healthcare, and education.
What the Samarkand deals include
One agreement involves a Wabtec initiative to localize production of railway equipment. Meanwhile, Franklin Templeton, along with Oppenheimer & Co., Citigroup and BlackRock, will help Uzbek companies widen access to global capital markets.
A joint statement by the participating foreign ministers outlined intentions to strengthen US-Central Asian ties. However, the document did not specifically reference artificial intelligence or critical minerals, two priority areas for the Trump administration.
China holds the larger position
Just a day before Rubio arrived, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met in Tashkent with Li Qiang, China's prime minister. Mirziyoyev said the portfolio of projects backed by firm agreements has reached nearly $60 billion, with more than 6,000 joint ventures established so far.
Trade figures show the gap. The US and Uzbekistan exchanged an estimated $1.7 billion in goods and services in 2025, while Uzbek-Chinese trade turnover reached almost $18 billion the same year, according to Uzbek government data.
Rubio rejects a forced choice
In Samarkand, Rubio indicated that the United States is playing catch-up to China. According to his press briefing, Rubio said: "we just want fair competition and an opportunity".
Rubio also stressed that the United States was not striving to force Central Asian states to choose between Washington and Beijing. Over the summer, the State Department floated an idea that sought to make those states choose between the US and China on AI development, and Central Asian leaders flatly rejected it.
Source: Oilprice.com
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