During his presidency, Donald Trump introduced a foreign policy approach that recalibrated U.S. engagement with Central Asia, a region strategically critical yet overshadowed by the influence of China and Russia. Trump’s policies, targeting the collective challenge of CRINK (China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea), aimed to foster regional autonomy and counter external dependency. This policy shift, aimed at countering the global influence of CRINK has extended to the vital region of Central Asia. Further, it is geographically wedged between Russia and China and serves as a critical bridge for U.S. interests.
The CRINK nations, in their regional strategies, have made substantial inroads in Central Asia. Additionally, each nation is pursuing influence through economic, political, or military avenues. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union, for instance, have been noted as major forces reshaping Central Asian economies as well as infrastructure. In 2013, the BRI of China was launched, which has channeled billions into roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects in Central Asia, seeking to create new trade routes connecting Asia to Europe. On the other side, Russia has promoted its Eurasian Economic Union as a trading bloc that has aimed at fostering economic integration among Central Asia and neighboring countries. These initiatives have provided economic incentives for Central Asia but also intensified its reliance on external powers, particularly China and Russia.
During his presidency, Trump emphasized a CRINK-focused strategy, which prioritized Central Asia’s sovereignty and reduced dependency on China and Russia. This strategy laid the groundwork for U.S. engagement in the region, influencing current policy directions. In 2020, Trump’s administration unveiled a comprehensive strategy for Central Asia, marking the first such effort in over two decades. The policy emphasized U.S. support for border security and defense collaboration, including financial aid to Tajikistan and military training for Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. These measures, though initiated under Trump, continue to shape current U.S. approaches to combating terrorism and fostering regional stability. For example, the U.S. has established the C5+1 initiative as a dialogue platform between the United States and the five Central Asian nations (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan). It was developed further to promote mutual goals in regional security, economic development, and environmental resilience.
Security cooperation is a vital aspect of this U.S. strategy which has given the threats of terrorism and also potential instability at CRINK’s peripheries (Sciutto, 2024). In particular, Afghanistan’s proximity to Central Asia poses both risks as well as opportunities for these nations. The U.S. has provided financial support to Tajikistan to strengthen border security and counter drug trafficking. Furthermore, while also assisting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with training and equipment to improve their defense capabilities the US has financially supported the nation. This military cooperation has aimed to prevent the encroachment of extremist groups like ISIS, which could exploit regional instability and threaten U.S. interests.
Trump’s presidency emphasized private sector investments as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Although modest compared to China’s commitments, these investments reflected an effort to position the U.S. as a partner prioritizing balanced economic development and governance reforms. Current initiatives in the region continue to echo this strategy. However, U.S. investments in the region remain modest compared to the significant financial commitments of China under the BRI. American involvement has also faced the challenge of navigating restrictions of Central Asian governments on foreign investments, as well as competing with the largely unconditional support offered by China. Despite these challenges, the Trump administration has positioned American investments as a path to balanced economic development that upholds human rights and governance reforms. Advocacy for political and social reforms was a cornerstone of Trump’s strategy, particularly in supporting governance modernization efforts in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This legacy persists, as the U.S. continues to encourage regional cooperation and stability through similar initiatives. It has aimed to modernize governance structures and reduce corruption in such nations. Uzbekistan’s outreach to neighboring Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan has also been positively received by the U.S. which has fostered regional cooperation and stability in these regions.
In summary, Trump’s presidency established a CRINK-focused strategy that intertwined security, economic, and diplomatic initiatives to bolster Central Asia’s autonomy. While the current administration’s policy remains undefined, its initial steps suggest a continuity rooted in these earlier efforts, positioning the U.S. as a counterweight to CRINK’s influence. Although the U.S. does not match China’s or Russia’s investments in the region, it presents itself as an alternative partner committed to regional sovereignty and stability.
