Trump’s Caucasus Trade Corridor Delayed Until 2027

Construction on the trade corridor known as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) is facing a delay, according to a top Azerbaijani official. This key component of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement was initially expected to commence in late 2026. However, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov confirmed during comments published by Interfax that construction will not begin until 2027.

The proposed route would create a 42-kilometer trade link through Armenian territory, connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave and integrating into Turkey's transportation system. Signed in early 2026, a framework agreement between the United States and Armenia covers the development of TRIPP, though detailed operational arrangements remain to be finalized.

The United States is to hold a controlling interest in the corridor. Bayramov attempted to present a positive outlook, stating that the US-Armenian negotiation process is progressing well and that Azerbaijan is upgrading the Nakhchivan segment. Discussions surrounding TRIPP and the broader peace process took place in Baku on September 8, involving senior US and Azerbaijani diplomats.

Iran, Armenia's southern neighbor, had reportedly warned Armenia about potential security concerns, raising the possibility that American personnel might be targeted in the corridor.