Karachi, June 25, 2025: Pakistan and the United States are expected to finalize ongoing trade negotiations next week, following a high-level meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The talks, which focus on reciprocal tariffs, are part of a broader effort to recalibrate bilateral economic relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Pakistan is particularly seeking relief from steep U.S. tariffs imposed under measures introduced during President Donald Trump’s previous term.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of negotiations and agreed to conclude the trade talks next week,” Pakistan’s Finance Ministry said in a statement. The ministry also noted that discussions are underway on a longer-term strategic and investment partnership.
Pakistan currently faces tariffs as high as 29% on its exports to the U.S., a legacy of Trump-era policies targeting nations with substantial trade surpluses. Pakistan’s trade surplus with the U.S. stood at approximately $3 billion in 2024.
To reduce trade friction, Islamabad has offered to increase imports of U.S. goods, including crude oil, and to expand investment incentives—particularly in the mining sector—for American companies.
Earlier this week, the two governments co-hosted a webinar to promote investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources, including the $7 billion Reko Diq copper-gold project. Senior officials and U.S. investors discussed opportunities in public-private partnerships and potential regulatory reforms.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank is currently reviewing financing proposals for Reko Diq, ranging from $500 million to $1 billion.
President Trump, who hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House last week, has previously stated that strengthened trade relations helped prevent greater tensions between Pakistan and India.
