US Congress hearing examines Kazakhstan's role in critical mineral supply chains

September 5, 2026 at 04:20 PM2 min

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The US Congress held a nearly four-hour hearing on Kazakhstan's role in global supply chains, focusing on its critical minerals potential. The hearing took place a week after a congressional delegation led by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith visited Kazakhstan. Experts called for removing Jackson-Vanik restrictions on Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries.

Key Facts

The hearing lasted nearly four hours and focused on Kazakhstan's potential in the critical minerals market.
Kazakhstan supplies more than a quarter of US uranium imports, according to Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
Former US Ambassador John Herbst said Central Asia accounts for only 2.1% of US mineral imports.
Three of five invited experts directly supported removing Jackson-Vanik restrictions for Kazakhstan and other eligible Central Asian states.

Hearing Focus

The hearing, titled "Strategic Partnership in Ensuring Access to Critical Resources and Supply Chain Resilience," addressed US mining development, raw material processing capacity, cooperation with African countries, and trade policy. Kazakhstan was among the countries most frequently cited as an example during the discussion. The hearing was organized a week after a US congressional delegation visited Kazakhstan, led by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith.

Mineral and Transit Potential

Kazakhstan was described as a reliable partner already participating in US supply chains. Jason Smith stated that Kazakhstan accounts for more than a quarter of uranium imported by the United States. Former US Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, identified Kazakhstan as the world's largest uranium producer, second in manganese reserves, and a leading titanium producer. Herbst noted that the US imports very little mineral raw material from Central Asia, currently only 2.1%. Participants highlighted the growing role of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also called the Middle Corridor, as a key transport corridor linking Central Asia with Western markets.

Jackson-Vanik Amendment Debate

One of the main political issues at the hearing was the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Three of five invited experts directly supported lifting Jackson-Vanik restrictions for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states that meet the requirements. Another expert called on Congress to consider such an opportunity. Jason Smith said that during his recent visit to Central Asia, he saw that regional countries view this Soviet-era measure as an obstacle to deepening economic ties. John Herbst urged Congress to remove remaining Jackson-Vanik restrictions on Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. Daniel Runde, a non-resident senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, called on Congress to grant Kazakhstan permanent normal trade relations status.