Overview
- Thursday’s meeting is the first C5+1 summit held in Washington and coincides with the forum’s 10th anniversary.
- Talks are expected to prioritize rare earths and other resources as the U.S. seeks alternatives to China’s dominant processing footprint.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he plans to visit all five Central Asian countries in the coming year.
- Senator James Risch said he will introduce legislation this week to repeal the Jackson–Vanik trade restrictions.
- U.S. officials said agreements are being prepared for announcement during the visit, while human-rights groups urged that civil liberties be on the agenda.