U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed Saturday for Central and South Asia to advance American commercial interests and counter Russian and Chinese influence in the region, according to officials.
Rubio is leading a delegation of approximately 200 business leaders to Uzbekistan, where he will participate Monday in a ministerial meeting with five Central Asian countries. A State Department official said Friday that Rubio sought to demonstrate Washington's goodwill toward the region.
The trip comes as the United States manages multiple geopolitical challenges. The country is engaged in a war with Iran, and the conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. Despite these pressures, Rubio has intensified his international activity in recent weeks, with recent travels to Europe and Latin America.
Rubio has delegated significant responsibility for managing the contentious situations in Iran, Ukraine, and Gaza to special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, both appointed by President Donald Trump. This arrangement allows Rubio to focus his efforts on the commercial and diplomatic engagement in Asia.
The Central Asian visit represents a shift in diplomatic priorities, with the State Department emphasizing economic partnerships as a strategic tool in the region. The ministerial meeting will bring together representatives from five Central Asian nations alongside the American delegation of business leaders, creating a platform for direct engagement between U.S. companies and regional partners.