Group 1 - The meeting hosted by Trump with leaders from five Central Asian countries under the C5+1 framework marks the first time all leaders gathered in Washington, indicating its significance [1] - Key discussion topics included energy, critical minerals, and transportation logistics, with a particular focus on rare earth minerals, highlighting the urgent demand from the U.S. [3][5] - The U.S. faces challenges in independently extracting and refining rare earth minerals, as only China currently possesses the complete industrial chain for these processes [5][15] Group 2 - Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan, are not easily swayed by U.S. control, as they have established partnerships with China that provide comprehensive support, including technology and infrastructure [7][11] - U.S. efforts to increase its presence in Central Asia have intensified, with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce facilitating connections between American companies and Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund [8] - The U.S. employs a more aggressive approach, offering financial support while also threatening tariffs, which has led to dissatisfaction among Central Asian nations [10] Group 3 - Despite Kazakhstan's participation in U.S.-led initiatives, it continues to deepen its cooperation with China, reflecting a desire for a balanced multilateral approach rather than reliance on a single power [13] - The U.S. strategy to encircle China is deemed unrealistic, as China's advantages in the rare earth industry, particularly in refining and recycling, are significantly stronger [15][17] - China's strategic approach includes delineating between civilian and military rare earth applications, maintaining control over sensitive areas while fostering commercial cooperation [20][22]