Trump to Meet PM Shehbaz Sharif at White House Today

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House on Thursday, just weeks after the two countries announced a trade deal.

The meeting is scheduled for 04:30pm EST [01:30am PST Friday], but the agenda has not been revealed, and it is also unclear who will join Shehbaz Sharif during the talks. The meeting is “closed press,” meaning the media will not have access, and details will only come through official statements.

Earlier the same day, Trump is also set to host Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to discuss arms and trade agreements aimed at reducing long-running tensions between Washington and Ankara.

US-Pakistan ties have recently improved under Trump’s leadership, after years in which Washington leaned more towards India to counter China’s influence in Asia. However, relations with New Delhi have faced challenges due to visa issues, trade tariffs, and Trump’s claim of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire in May.

The US and Pakistan signed a trade deal on July 31, with Washington imposing a 19 percent tariff. Trump has yet to finalize any trade deal with India, which is also recalibrating its ties with China amid strained relations with Washington.

This year, Trump also welcomed Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to the White House, marking the first time a US president hosted the Pakistani army head without civilian officials. A senior US State Department official said the US remains focused on counter-terrorism, trade, and advancing American interests in the region through engagement with Pakistan.

When asked about India, the official said Trump was open about frustrations but still valued strong ties with New Delhi, calling it a key partner for the future. Washington is also preparing for a Quad summit with India, Australia, Japan, and the US, which may take place later this year or early next year.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has supported Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to reduce tensions with India, though it has strongly condemned US ally Israel’s attacks in Gaza, Qatar, and Iran. Recently, Shehbaz Sharif joined Trump in a meeting with Muslim-majority leaders during the UN General Assembly, where the US president discussed Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza and shared peace proposals.

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