ISLAMABAD, June 17, 2025: Pakistan and the United States have made significant progress in their bid to resolve longstanding trade issues, particularly the reciprocal tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump’s earlier term, as top officials from both nations held a virtual meeting on Monday.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick led the talks, which focused on enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation. The Ministry of Finance, in a statement issued Tuesday, said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a mutually beneficial trade deal and agreed to intensify technical-level discussions in the coming days.
“The discussions focused on meaningful engagement in trade, investment, and deepening economic ties,” the statement noted, adding that a mutually agreed roadmap would guide the next phase of negotiations.
The renewed momentum comes as Pakistan seeks relief from 29% retaliatory tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Although the tariffs remain suspended until July, Islamabad has ramped up diplomatic efforts, including sending a trade delegation to Washington, to bridge the trade gap and secure permanent tariff concessions.
The US remains Pakistan’s largest export destination, with exports exceeding \$5 billion in 2024, while imports from the US stand at approximately \$2.1 billion. Finance Minister Aurangzeb recently told Bloomberg that Pakistan aims to boost US imports and eliminate non-tariff barriers as part of a broader strategy to normalize trade relations.
Both sides expressed optimism for the swift conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement, marking a pivotal step in restoring and expanding economic ties.
