Marco Rubio Secures $12 Billion in Trade Deals in Uzbekistan to Boost US Influence

Key Facts

1US Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured $12 billion in business deals during a forum in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

2The visit included a nearly 300-strong US business delegation and talks with foreign ministers from all five Central Asian states.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured $12 billion in business deals during a forum held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. OilPrice.com reported that the visit featured a US business delegation of nearly 300 members and included high-level talks with foreign ministers from all five Central Asian states.

The mission is part of a strategic competition between the United States and China for economic and geopolitical influence in the region, with the 54 agreements covering energy, infrastructure, critical minerals, and digital technologies. According to the Uzbekistan Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, these deals aim to enhance local companies' access to global capital markets through cooperation with major financial institutions.