At the international summit held on February 4 in Washington under the auspices of the State Department, Uzbekistan and the USA signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of extraction and supply of critically important minerals. The document was signed by Bakhtiyor Saidov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and Christopher Landau, the Deputy Secretary of State of the USA.
Uzbekistan has become one of the ten key partners of the USA in this area, alongside countries such as the UAE, Peru, and the Philippines. During the signing of the agreement, Bakhtiyor Saidov noted that the republic has significant potential in the field of rare metals and intends to develop this sector in accordance with global standards and principles of sustainable development. He emphasized that such cooperation is not only economically beneficial but also a model of responsible partnership.
In addition to issues related to raw material supplies, diplomats discussed a wide range of bilateral relations. During meetings, including discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasis was placed on expanding trade ties, strengthening cooperation in the "C5+1" format, and jointly combating illegal migration. Washington confirmed its interest in deepening dialogue with Tashkent both in the area of regional security and in matters of energy stability.
These steps are taking place against the backdrop of global changes in the market. The US administration openly states its intention to diversify supply chains to eliminate monopolies on minerals that can be used for political pressure. These measures are being implemented as part of Donald Trump's initiative - Project Vault, which aims to create a strategic reserve of resources worth nearly $12 billion to protect American technology companies from raw material shortages.
