Kazakhstan's critical minerals role takes center stage at US House hearing

September 5, 2026 at 03:58 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's growing role in global critical mineral supply chains was a central focus of a nearly four-hour hearing by the US House Ways and Means Committee on September 2. Lawmakers and expert witnesses highlighted Kazakhstan as a reliable supplier of uranium, manganese, and titanium, and several called for repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Central Asian states. The hearing followed a congressional delegation visit to Kazakhstan led by Committee Chairman Jason Smith.

Key Facts

The US House Ways and Means Committee held a nearly four-hour hearing on critical minerals on September 2, with Kazakhstan among the most frequently cited country examples.
Kazakhstan accounts for more than a quarter of all uranium imports to the United States, according to Committee Chairman Jason Smith.
Former US Ambassador John Herbst described Kazakhstan as the world's largest uranium producer, holder of the second-largest manganese reserves, and a leading titanium producer.
The United States currently accounts for only about 2.1 percent of mineral raw material exports from Central Asia.
Three of five invited experts explicitly supported repealing Jackson-Vanik restrictions for Kazakhstan and other qualifying Central Asian states, with bipartisan backing.

Kazakhstan's Mineral Profile

Kazakhstan was presented as an already active and reliable participant in American supply chains during the hearing. Committee Chairman Jason Smith noted that Kazakhstan accounts for more than a quarter of all uranium imports to the United States. Former US Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, characterized Kazakhstan as the world's largest uranium producer, a country with the second-largest manganese reserves, and one of the leading titanium producers. Herbst also noted that the United States currently accounts for only about 2.1 percent of mineral raw material exports from Central Asia.

Jackson-Vanik Repeal Debate

The key policy question for Kazakhstan at the hearing was the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Three of five invited experts explicitly supported repealing Jackson-Vanik restrictions for Kazakhstan and other qualifying Central Asian states, while another expert urged Congress to consider such a move. This position also received support from representatives of both parties. Smith stated that his recent meetings in Central Asia showed regional partners view this Soviet-era measure as an obstacle to deepening economic ties. Herbst called on Congress to repeal the remaining Jackson-Vanik restrictions for Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.

Middle Corridor Significance

Kazakhstan's importance was also linked to its central position on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, known as the Middle Corridor. Hearing participants characterized this route as an increasingly important link between Central Asia and Western markets. The hearing took place a week after a congressional delegation visit to Kazakhstan led by Committee Chairman Jason Smith.