US President Donald Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have joined the ranks of investors in a project to develop critical mineral deposits in Kazakhstan, according to chosun.com.
According to foreign media reports, the project involves the extraction of tungsten, a metal of strategic importance to American industry and the defense sector.
The investment was made through Skyline Builders, which acquired a 20% stake in Kaz Resources, a subsidiary of Cob Capital, for $20 million last fall. The companies later announced a merger, and the project received support from US financial institutions. The US Export-Import Bank and the International Development Finance Corporation intend to invest up to $1.6 billion in the development.
Washington's increased interest in Kazakhstan's tungsten is due to global competition for rare resources. Currently, approximately 80% of global tungsten production is concentrated in China, which has raised concerns in the US. Tungsten is used in the aviation industry, electronics, military equipment, and high-precision instruments.
This is not the first time Central Asia has been at the center of American strategic interests. A little-known fact is that back in the 1990s, the United States actively participated in modernizing the energy infrastructure of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan through USAID programs. Furthermore, after the events of September 11, Washington temporarily used military bases in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan for operations in Afghanistan, significantly increasing US political influence in the region.
Experts also point out that American companies have shown interest in Central Asian rare earth metals since the collapse of the USSR. In the early 2000s, US geologists conducted classified exploration of rare metal deposits in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, considering the region an alternative to Chinese supplies.
The current project surrounding the Trump family has already sparked discussions about a potential conflict of interest. Critics believe that the involvement of the president's relatives in a strategically important project supported by US government agencies could raise questions about the transparency of the deal. Investor representatives deny these accusations and say they do not use political connections to advance their business.
Analysts believe that US interest in Central Asia will only increase in the coming years. The region is gradually becoming not only an important transportation hub between Europe and Asia, but also a key source of strategic raw materials for the global economy.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 8, 2026