Islamabad:
Pakistan and the United States agreed to improve commercial and economic cooperation to promote a mutually beneficial association, after a high -level meeting between the Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurengzeb, and the United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Friday, said the Ministry of Finance.
According to a statement, the Pakistani delegation also met with the ambassador of the United States Commercial Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer in Washington, DC. Discussions focused on advancing on economic commitment, expanding access to the market and identifying new roads for collaboration.
Both parties expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in bilateral commercial relations, a key pillar of the ties of Pakistan-United States, and reaffirmed their commitment to explore opportunities in the traditional and emerging sectors.
The Minister of Finance, Muhammad Aurengzeb, meets the United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick and the United States Commerce Representative Ambassador, Jamieson Greer in Washington, on Friday, July 18, 2025. Photo: Ministry of Finance
Aurengzeb declared that the United States remains the largest commercial partner of Pakistan, pointing out Islamabad’s interest in expanding cooperation in sectors such as information technology, minerals and agriculture.
He said that the objective was to diversify trade and investment so that they serve the economic interests of both nations. The two parties expressed optimism that the ongoing commercial conversations would be in positive results, with discussions at the technical level scheduled to conclude in the next week.
Relations between Islamabad and the Trump administration have seen a remarkable rebound in recent months, particularly after the United States intervened to mediate fire between Pakistan and India after a four -day conflict in May.
In what the observers described as an unprecedented diplomatic gesture, President Trump received the chief of the Army personnel also Munir in the White House last month. During a lunch in his honor, Trump recognized the role of the Army Chief in the decallation of tensions with India.
Read too: Business community divided by strike strike for Saturday
Last month, Aurengzeb and Lutnick also held a virtual meeting that focused on reciprocal tariffs, part of the broader efforts to recalibrate economic ties in the midst of changing geopolitical dynamics.
Pakistan is looking for relief from the pronounced tariffs imposed under the commercial policies of President Trump, particularly a duty of 29 percent in Pakistani exports to the United States.
To compensate for the commercial imbalance, Pakistan registered a commercial surplus of $ 3 billion with the US. In 2024, Islamabad has offered to increase imports of US goods, including crude oil, and provide investment incentives in its mining sector.
In a parallel development, the US Export Bank is currently reviewing the financing proposals ranging from $ 500 million to $ 1 billion for investment in Pakistan mineral wealth, in particular the Reko Diq Copper-Gold project of $ 7 billion.
The two countries also co-organized a web seminar to promote US investment in the Pakistan mineral sector. The event highlighted the opportunities in large -scale extractive projects, including Reko Diq.
