WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump has clinched more than $12 billion in trade deals with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan amid a White House push to deepen economic ties with the strategic Central Asian region. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump put the value for all 22 aircraft at more than $8 billion. Next month, the chamber will host its first ever business mission to neighboring Uzbekistan, the largest country in Central Asia by population. "It's clear that Uzbekistan is a valued US partner -- not just in Central Asia! Experts say that Central Asian nations are seeking US investment to counterbalance Chinese and Russian influence.