Baku, August 28, 2025 — Economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States has been expanding rapidly in recent years despite political frictions.
According to Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, Azerbaijan’s trade turnover with the U.S. reached $1.7 billion in 2024, including $1.6 billion in imports and $135 million in exports — a 94% increase compared to 2023. The U.S. ranked 5th overall in Azerbaijan’s foreign trade, 4th in imports, and 24th in exports. In the first half of 2025 alone, bilateral trade was up another 60% year-on-year.
Historical Context: From “Contract of the Century” to Sanctions
MP Zaur Shukyurov, a member of parliament’s Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Committee, told Oxu.Az that while energy and security have traditionally defined relations, U.S. policy under President Biden had strained ties.
He recalled that after Azerbaijan signed the landmark 1994 “Contract of the Century,” Washington became a key partner in energy projects. Cooperation also deepened after the 9/11 attacks, when Azerbaijan provided critical logistical support for U.S. operations in Afghanistan. At that time, the U.S. president was granted authority to suspend the controversial “Section 907” amendment, which had blocked direct aid to Azerbaijan since 1992.
But under Biden, Shukyurov noted, Section 907 was reinstated:
“President Aliyev said it clearly in his interview with Al Arabiya — when the U.S. needed Azerbaijan’s skies, seas, and railways, they suspended the amendment. The moment they left Afghanistan, they reapplied it. How can such ingratitude be explained?”
Turning Point: Aliyev–Trump Meeting in Washington
Against this backdrop, President Aliyev’s August 8 visit to Washington and his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump are seen as a turning point. The talks, described as friendly and constructive, focused on regional development, bilateral ties, and especially the suspension of Section 907. According to Shukyurov, this decision opens the door to a “new phase” in U.S.–Azerbaijan relations.
He highlighted Trump’s pragmatic approach:
“Trump has often used tariffs and tough trade policies to defend U.S. interests. But with Azerbaijan and personally with President Aliyev, he showed friendship. That creates confidence that our relations will see stable, long-term growth.”
Strategic Outlook
The MP emphasized that Aliyev’s independent, pragmatic foreign policy has positioned Azerbaijan as a trustworthy partner:
Regional peace: The Washington talks, held with Trump’s mediation, included positive steps on Armenia–Azerbaijan normalization.
Institutional framework: Both sides agreed to establish a Strategic Working Group to guide future cooperation.
New opportunities: Expanded collaboration is expected in energy, transport, trade, investment, artificial intelligence, technological infrastructure, and security.
Broader Significance
Shukyurov concluded that the renewed momentum in Azerbaijan–U.S. ties will not only strengthen bilateral trade but also bolster Azerbaijan’s international standing and economic security:
“We believe this new stage of relations will open wide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation across many fields, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s role as a regional leader.”
