WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump confirmed that a high-level delegation from Pakistan is scheduled to arrive in the United States next week for critical trade negotiations.
The talks come as Islamabad seeks to resolve a tariff dispute with Washington, which has placed Pakistan at risk of facing up to 29% tariffs on its exports.
Pakistan’s trade surplus of $3 billion with the U.S. has placed it on the radar under new American tariff measures announced last month. These global tariffs, aimed at recalibrating trade balances, prompted the United States to temporarily suspend enforcement for 90 days to allow for diplomatic dialogue.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on April 9, resulting in the decision to send a delegation comprising government officials, prominent business figures, and leading exporters to the U.S. The mission is aimed at improving bilateral trade relations and finding a path to mutual economic benefit.
Talking to mediaperson at Joint Base Andrews, Trump linked future trade relations to regional peace, saying: “I would have no interest in making a deal with either Pakistan or India if they were to engage in war with each other.”
His remarks follow the recent escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who exchanged artillery, drones, and fighter jet strikes in four days of the most intense fighting seen in decades.
President Trump also mentioned that the U.S. is nearing a trade agreement with India, with Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal recently visiting Washington to push negotiations forward. Both sides are aiming to finalize an interim deal by early July. India, too, faces a 26% tariff on its exports to the U.S.
As part of the ongoing talks, India may open up contracts worth over $50 billion—mainly federal procurement—to American firms, offering a significant opportunity for U.S. companies.
According to official sources, Pakistan has proposed a zero-tariff bilateral trade agreement covering selected tariff lines that reflect mutual interest. This offer is designed to widen trade channels across multiple sectors and present the U.S. with a compelling alternative in South Asia.
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held an initial discussion via telephone on May 30. Finance Ministry Advisor Khurram Schehzad called the conversation “constructive,” adding that both sides agreed to initiate technical-level negotiations in the coming weeks.
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