Nightingale Int. on Deutsche Welle: Trump, Central Asia, and Critical Minerals

Our Head of Research, Eldaniz Guseinov, joined Deutsche Welle to comment on the first-ever US–Central Asia (C5+1) summit held at the White House under President Donald Trump.

In the segment, Eldaniz explained why this meeting matters both geopolitically and domestically for the region’s leaders:

• He argued that the summit should be seen as part of Trump’s broader game with China, as Washington seeks to show it still has serious interests and influence in Central Asia, especially in the context of China’s expanding role through connectivity projects and investments.
• He highlighted that critical minerals and rare earths are now at the heart of US engagement with the region, fitting Trump’s preferred “deals-first” approach focused on contracts, supply chains, and economic gains rather than democracy or human rights.
• For Central Asian leaders, Eldaniz noted, the summit carries major symbolic capital at home: being seen at the same table with the US president helps them show their publics that they can negotiate “on equal footing” with Washington.
• At the same time, he stressed that the region is trying to preserve a careful balance – deepening ties with the US while also maintaining strong relations with China, the EU, and Russia, and avoiding any open conflict with the Trump administration.

We’re glad to see Nightingale Int. represented in this discussion on how critical minerals, trade corridors, and great-power competition are reshaping Central Asia’s place in global geopolitics.