Why is this important
The meeting in the White House is the first in years, a signal of the warming of relations between Uzbekistan and the USA, strategic partnership. The implementation of September agreements from New York (Eximbank, DFC, GM, Boeing) will attract $500 million in investments in energy, transport, aviation, and critical minerals. The C5+1 format strengthens US influence in Central Asia, contrary to China and Russia. Trump’s invitation to Uzbekistan is a historic event, opening up new opportunities for cooperation.
What happened
- On November 6, Mirziyoyev met with Trump in the Oval Office;
- They discussed strategic partnership, investments, and the implementation of the September agreements;
- They touched upon C5+1, peaceful settlement of conflicts;
- Mirziyoyev invited Trump to Uzbekistan;
- Trump welcomed the results of his meetings with the government, companies, and financial institutions.
Key topics
- Strategic partnership: strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade, economic, investment, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.
- Implementation of September agreements: In New York, agreements were reached with Eximbank (financing Boeing, energy), DFC (office in Tashkent, investment platform), GM (model expansion, localization). Practical implementation was discussed.
- C5+1: format of interaction between the USA and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). Deepening cooperation in security, economy, and energy.
- Peaceful settlement: Mirziyoyev noted Trump’s contribution to the peaceful settlement of international and regional conflicts (Middle East, Afghanistan).
Trump Invitation
Mirziyoyev invited Trump to make an official visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time. If the visit takes place, it will be the first visit of the American president to Uzbekistan in decades, opening up new opportunities for cooperation.
Trump’s position
Trump welcomed the results of Mirziyoyev’s meetings with the US government (Eximbank, DFC, State Department), heads of American companies (GM, Boeing, ExxonMobil), financial institutions (JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs). He emphasized the importance of institutional mechanisms for promoting projects.
Institutional mechanisms
Establishing and improving institutions for cooperation:
- DFC office in Tashkent;
- Joint US-Uzbekistan Investment Platform;
- Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Investment;
- Business meetings with the participation of American and Uzbek companies.
Context
- Working visit to Washington: On November 6, Mirziyoyev held a series of meetings with the US government, companies, and financial institutions. Agreements have been signed with Eximbank, DFC, and GM.
- September agreements: Mirziyoyev met with US representatives in New York and reached agreements on project financing. The meeting in the White House is a continuation.
- The C5+1 format was created in 2015 to strengthen US ties with Central Asia. Uzbekistan is the leader of the region, a strategic partner of the USA in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
- Competition with China and Russia: The US seeks to strengthen its influence in Central Asia by opposing China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s EAEU. The DFC office in Tashkent, Eximbank’s investments are instruments of competition.
- Trump’s visit: if it happens, it will be a historic event. The last visit of the American president to Uzbekistan was by Bill Clinton in 2000.
