Rubio Brought Nearly 300 U.S. Companies to the Silk Road. Congress Should Finally Kill the Cold War Law Still on the Books
In Samarkand on Oct. 19, Secretary Rubio cited over $25 billion in Central Asia deals since November, Boeing Dreamliner orders and a critical-minerals pact — and said Jackson-Vanik repeal is up to Congress. In our view, the Senate Finance Committee should move S. 3103 now.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 19, 2026 | 6-min read In Samarkand, the ancient Silk Road city, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood with almost 300 American businesses on Monday and made a pitch China cannot easily match: American companies, American capital and American aircraft [1][2]. Then a reporter asked the awkward question. Why is a Cold War trade law from 1974 still on the books against these very countries? Rubio's answer was blunt: "you'll have to ask Congress" [1]. In our view, he is right, and Congress should clear it off the books. Key Takeaways Rubio said on Oct. 19 in Samarkand that almost 300 American businesses were with the U.S. delegation, with "billions of dollars of agreements" expected [1]. He said that since last November's C5+1 presidential summit, the U.S. has secured "over $25 billion in commercial arrangements and deals" with Central Asia, with more than $100 billion more planned [2]. Uzbekistan has agreed to buy 22 Boeing Dreamliners, and an Uzbek company invested $80 million in a Kentucky aluminum plant, Rubio said [2]. Jackson-Vanik still applies to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, which receive temporary normal trade status,