Pakistan, US Pledge Fast-Track Trade Deal Amid Positive Talks

Pakistan and the United States have agreed to speed up their trade negotiations through constructive engagement, aiming to finalise a deal soon.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a virtual meeting with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday night (June 16), where both sides discussed trade cooperation and reciprocal tariffs. They agreed to follow up with detailed technical-level talks based on a shared roadmap.

The discussion comes after the US announced tariffs in April, citing a $3 billion trade surplus in Pakistan’s favour. These duties—possibly up to 29%—were temporarily suspended for 90 days to allow time for talks.

Speaking in Islamabad on Tuesday, Aurangzeb described the talks as “positive and constructive,” saying both countries are on the right track to strengthen their economic and strategic ties.

Formal talks were initiated on May 30, when Aurangzeb and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer held their first call. Pakistan had earlier proposed a zero-tariff trade agreement and offered wide-ranging economic concessions to US firms, especially in Balochistan’s mining sector.

Pakistan also offered to boost imports of US cotton and edible oils, which are in short supply locally.

These developments come as US President Trump recently spoke of “big deals” in the works with both Pakistan and India, following a US-brokered ceasefire between the neighbours after heightened tensions.