Trump Expected to Meet PM Shehbaz Sharif at White House Today

US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday (today), according to a Trump administration official who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday. The development comes just weeks after both countries reached a trade agreement.

US–Pakistan relations have grown warmer in recent months under President Trump, after years in which Washington leaned toward Pakistan’s rival India as a counterweight to China’s influence in Asia. However, ties between Washington and New Delhi have recently come under strain due to visa hurdles for Indian nationals, high US tariffs on Indian goods, and Trump’s repeated claims that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May following border clashes.

On July 31, Washington and Islamabad announced a trade agreement under which the US imposed a 19% tariff rate. Meanwhile, a US trade deal with India remains elusive. Analysts note that in response to friction with Washington, New Delhi is recalibrating ties with China as a strategic hedge.

Earlier this year, Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the White House — the first time a US president had formally received the head of Pakistan’s military, widely seen as the country’s most powerful institution.

A senior State Department official, briefing reporters on Tuesday, said Washington was “working through a number of issues when it comes to counter-terrorism, when it comes to economic and trade ties.” The official added that the president was focused on advancing US interests in the region, including through engagement with Pakistan’s leadership.

Asked about tensions with India, the official said Trump preferred to be candid about frustrations but considered the bilateral relationship strong. Washington continued to view India as a valued partner and believed the relationship would be central to shaping the 21st century.

Pakistan has publicly endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to defuse India–Pakistan tensions. At the same time, Islamabad has sharply criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Qatar, and Iran — actions backed by the US.

On Tuesday, Shehbaz Sharif joined other Muslim-majority leaders in a meeting with Trump, where the US president discussed Israeli strikes on Gaza. According to Washington, peace proposals were shared with the assembled leaders on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly session.

Meanwhile, Pakistani officials have strongly indicated that Thursday’s meeting at the White House is virtually certain. Sources noted that senior diplomats have already returned to Washington for preparations, embassy media staff are relocating to the capital, and Pakistani journalists covering the visit are arranging travel south for the engagement.

When asked by reporters about the anticipated meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz only smiled and remarked that he would speak on the matter the following day.

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