Trump Hosts Central asian Leaders Amid U.S.Focus on Rare Earth Metals
WASHINGTON – president Trump hosted a summit with leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the White House on Tuesday, as the United States seeks to diversify its supply chain for rare earth minerals and counter China’s dominance in the sector. The meeting, the first of its kind, signals a heightened U.S.interest in strengthening ties with Central asia and exploring potential partnerships for resource extraction and processing.
The summit comes as the U.S. government increasingly views access to critical minerals - essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, defense technologies, and other key products – as a national security priority. China currently controls a notable portion of the global rare earth mineral supply, prompting Washington to seek choice sources. According to a State Department official, discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in areas including energy, trade, and security, with a particular emphasis on lasting progress of mineral resources.
Separately, a deployment of the Washington D.C. National Guard to the nation’s capital, initially ordered by President Trump in august, has been extended through February 28, according to formal orders reviewed by the Associated Press. The order cites the need to protect federal property and support law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the ongoing government shutdown continues to impact negotiations on key legislative priorities. Trump’s refusal to meet with Democratic leaders, demanding they first reopen the government, is described by some as a “big factor, negative” in the poor GOP showings across the country. Democrats view Trump’s involvement in talks as perhaps leading to a deal on extending health care subsidies,a key sticking point for their support. Trump is also reportedly pushing Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster, a move opposed by many within his own party. In a video released Wednesday evening, Trump called for the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for passing legislation to be “terminated.”
