Pun Pouts As Rubio Locks in Armenia Minerals Deal and Advances 'Trump Route'

BoB Hoge / RedState 

 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is known for taking on many jobs at once, and on Tuesday, he donned the hat of chief U.S. trade negotiator with Armenia as he signed a strategic partnership agreement with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The agreement covers critical minerals and also bolsters cooperation on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a 27-mile rail and road corridor that would go through southern Armenia. It would enhance trade by linking Central Asia to Turkey and Europe while — crucially — bypassing Russia and Iran. 

As pro-Russia sentiment continues in Armenia, Pashinyan is set on distancing his country from the former Soviet Union, which until 1991 counted Armenia as part of its federation.

UNLV Political Science Professor Dr. Nerses Kopalyan said the agreement was a game-changer for the region.

Extraordinarily important development today in US-Armenia relations, as the government-to-government framework on TRIPP proceeds with the implementation stage, while US and Armenia elevate relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. But just as importantly, US is now a direct stakeholder...Read more, see Xs and videos here.