🔺Rubio’s trip to Central Asia; the United States and Uzbekistan sign a $12 billion deal

◾The Uzbek government announced the signing of 54 economic agreements worth $12 billion with the United States, coinciding with the trip of Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, to that country. Rubio’s trip was aimed at expanding U.S. commercial ties, investment, and strategic cooperation with Central Asian countries.