US-Pakistan Trade Deal Close to Finalization

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishak Dal expressed that the US and Pakistan are nearing a trade agreement. During a meeting on Friday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, ahead of the August 1 deadline set by President Trump, Dal shared his optimism.

“I think we’re very close to finalizing our deal with the US,” Dal stated at the Atlantic Council think tank. He added, “Our team is here in Washington for virtual meetings, and the committee is currently making tweaks based on the prime minister’s directives.”

“It’s not months, not even weeks. I say days too,” he remarked.

The US Commerce Bureau noted that last year, bilateral trade between the US and Pakistan surpassed $7.3 billion. Following the discussions between Rubio and Dal, both the US State Department and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the focus on enhancing commerce in essential minerals and mining. However, they did not specify when the trade agreement might be finalized.

In a separate note, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry emphasized Dal’s acknowledgment of President Trump’s and Rubio’s critical roles in the negotiations.

On May 10, President Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after discussions with both nations. The administration has also secured trade agreements with countries such as the Philippines, Japan, the UK, China, and Vietnam and aims to reveal more agreements ahead of the August 1 deadline.