Senator Steve Daines underscored the importance of strong economic and strategic ties between the United States and Central Asia during the C5+1 Tenth Anniversary Business Conference this week, delivering both the opening and closing remarks at the event. Over the past 20 months, Daines has visited all five Central Asian nations, meeting with their presidents to advance diplomatic and economic cooperation.
“There are few parts of the world that offer the opportunity that Central Asia does,” Daines said. “Closer ties between our nations can bring greater economic opportunity to millions of people and secure some of the West’s most vulnerable supply chains. Building a closer relationship between our countries is not simply desirable but is a strategic imperative for the United States.”
During his remarks, Daines highlighted recent U.S. efforts to strengthen engagement in the region, including the creation of the Special Envoy for Central Asia, the concurrent Critical Minerals Dialogue, and ongoing trade missions. He also noted that the Senate recently passed a resolution honoring the anniversary of the C5+1 diplomatic platform with unanimous bipartisan support.
Daines emphasized the region’s rich natural resources, including over 31 billion barrels of oil reserves, 250 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and more than 40% of global uranium production. He argued that Central Asia could provide a reliable alternative to energy imports from adversarial nations.
“Even three years after the invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. is still importing uranium from Russia despite profound national security implications. Central Asian partners can instead offer a more reliable source of the element necessary to the development of artificial intelligence, data centers, and other energy-intensive industries,” Daines said.
The senator also addressed efforts to modernize U.S.-Central Asia trade, announcing legislation introduced in both the House and Senate to repeal outdated Soviet-era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. “It is long past time we relegate these outdated restrictions to the ash heap of history and bring our relationships into the 21st century,” he said.
Daines stressed that collaboration with the region extends beyond resource development. “Collaborative investment creates a tide that will lift all boats; building more vibrant economies and better opportunity for the citizens of Central Asia and ensuring a steady supply of the inputs that power the West’s economy,” he said.
He highlighted the broader geopolitical significance of Central Asia’s independent path, situated between Russia, China, and Iran. “A region submerged between Russia, China, and Iran has chosen to forge an independent path dominated by none of their neighbors but instead defined by regional consensus and multilateral diplomacy as well as international partnership,” Daines said.
The senator concluded by reaffirming the United States’ commitment to long-term engagement in Central Asia. “Central Asia will no longer be denied its future or its birthright, and America’s pivot towards the region is already well underway. I look forward to working with President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and everyone in this room to build on the successes we have already had and to create a brighter future for all the people we serve and represent.”