US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced plans to visit Central Asia later in 2026, signaling Washington’s continued focus on strengthening engagement with the strategically important region.

Speaking during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio confirmed that the administration of President Donald Trump supports repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a Cold War-era trade restriction that still affects US trade relations with several Central Asian countries, The Caspian Post reports via TASS.

Rubio stated that the Trump administration viewed the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment as beneficial and supported efforts to remove the decades-old legislative barrier.

The top US diplomat also revealed that he plans to attend a C5+1 meeting later this year. The format brings together the US and the five Central Asian nations - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships.

The C5+1 platform has been a key pillar of US engagement in Central Asia since its launch in 2015, providing a framework for dialogue on trade, energy, connectivity, and regional stability.