US president highlights economic benefits of new Trump Route at C5+1 summit

On November 6, US President Donald Trump formally endorsed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) during his speech at the C5+1 meeting, describing the initiative as a “historic accord” with the potential to transform trade and economic ties across Central Asia.

“As I said at the time, that historic accord includes the construction of the new Trump route. It’s such a beautiful thing. They named it after me. I really appreciate it. It’s actually a big deal,” Trump said.

The US leader emphasised the strategic importance of the route, noting, “This is a road that’s been carved and goes through some of the most important places anywhere in the world, some of the most important places economically also anywhere in the world, which would boost commercial activity on the other side of the Caspian Sea, helping nations throughout Central Asia.”

Trump expressed optimism that the participating countries would benefit from the agreement. “I am optimistic that each of the countries here today will reap the benefits of peace they have embraced and the opportunities that we have unleashed with the agreement,” he added.

The TRIPP project is a flagship regional infrastructure and connectivity initiative intended to link mainland Azerbaijan with its exclave, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, via the territory of Armenia’s Zanghezur/Syunik region. 

Underpinned by a declaration signed on August 8, 2025, in Washington among the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and US President Donald Trump, the project is presented as both a peace‑building instrument and a logistics corridor. 

Its infrastructure scope includes new rail and road links, pipelines for oil and gas, fibre‑optic/communications lines and power transmission. One of the key aims is to integrate South‑Caucasus states into the broader “Middle Corridor” trade axis between Europe and Asia, thereby boosting regional transit, trade, and economic diversification.

By Aghakazim Guliyev