Following a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., the U.S. and the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan announced their intent to increase economic engagement, including through the following actions. Successive U.S. administrations have pursued closer trade ties with these countries at various times in recent years, including with respect to many of the measures outlined below, to counter influences from Russia and China.
- improving ease of doing business and encouraging trade and investment through the implementation of regulatory reforms
- continuing to strive toward harmonized, transparent customs regimes
- continuing efforts to help connect Central Asia’s critical minerals to the global value supply chain
- strengthening supply chain connectivity and resilience by fully developing the potential of the Trans-Caspian Trade Route and connecting it to the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity to secure the movement of cargo, information, and energy
- encouraging increased investment and trade in energy and critical minerals
- supporting trade and investment in high-growth sectors such as hydropower, tourism, information technology, e-commerce, and agriculture
- encouraging mutually beneficial, freely entered joint ventures aimed at enhancing export potential and fostering innovation
- collaborating to improve product standards that promote quality and safety in line with international standards recognized by these countries
- further respecting the protection and enforcement of intellectual property and other rights that contribute to investor confidence
- supporting open, transparent, stable, and fair markets that create an enabling environment for commercial activity
In related news, legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate that would repeal the Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions and thus allow for permanent normal trade relations status (i.e., column 1 import duty rates) for these five countries. Click here for more details.
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