ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to dispatch a high-level delegation to the United States for negotiations aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations and addressing concerns related to newly imposed US tariffs on Pakistani goods imports.
The decision was taken on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a review meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday with the huddle focusing on increasing national exports and discussing Washington’s recent tariff measures.
The delegation would also include prominent business figures and leading exporters, reflecting the government’s intent to engage key stakeholders in shaping a mutually beneficial path forward.
The prime minister has tasked the delegation with negotiating over the newly-introduced tariffs and developing a long-term strategy to safeguard and expand Pakistan’s trade interests.
Islamabad’s move follows Washington’s last week announcement of a 29 percent duty on goods from Pakistan in response to a 58 percent tariff on US products charged by Pakistan.
Pakistani exports to the US, as per a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce, would now face a total tariff of 39 percent, comprising a 10 percent baseline import duty and a 29 percent reciprocal tariff. The US is Pakistan’s largest single-country export market, with exports valued at approximately $6 billion annually, predominantly textiles.
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement, PM Shehbaz had constituted a 12-member steering committee to deal with the reciprocal tariffs. Meanwhile, initial estimates suggest that the said duties might cost Islamabad between $500 to $700 million.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ali Pervaiz Malik, as well as PM’s Adviser Syed Tauqir Shah, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Haroon Akhtar, Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and other senior officials.
During the huddle, the premier was briefed on the findings of the steering committee and the working group formed to assess the impact of new tariffs. Various alternative strategies were presented to the forum. Officials informed the participants that the Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington was in constant contact with the US administration regarding the issue.
The prime minister emphasized that the delegation must ensure all relevant business leaders and exporters are part of the dialogue process.
The announcement of Pakistan sending a delegation to the US comes hours after PM Shehbaz met with a US team led by Senior Bureau official and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State Eric Meyer.
Earlier, Eric Meyer, a senior bureau official (SBO) for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department, emphasized the potential of Pakistan’s vast mineral resources and said it can bring significant economic benefits for both Islamabad and Washington.
According to a statement, Meyer led a delegation to Islamabad to advance US interests in Pakistan’s critical minerals sector, enhance economic cooperation and reaffirm the importance of counterterrorism collaboration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, Meyer emphasized that Pakistan’s mineral wealth — if developed responsibly and transparently — holds mutual benefits for both nations.
“Critical minerals are the raw materials necessary for our most advanced technologies,” he said. “President Trump has made it clear that securing diverse and reliable sources of these materials is a strategic priority. Pakistan’s vast mineral potential can benefit both our countries.”
The US continues to collaborate with international partners and Pakistani stakeholders to foster investment, share technical expertise and promote sustainable resource management in the minerals sector, he said.
During his two-day visit, Meyer also held high-level meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik.
Discussions focused on expanding avenues for American businesses in Pakistan, strengthening economic ties and reinforcing joint efforts in the fight against terrorism.
Meyer also engaged with foreign policy analysts, representatives of the American business community, and alumni of US public diplomacy programmes to reaffirm the enduring people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Earlier, during the meeting with the US delegation, the prime minister reiterated that Pakistan desired to work with President Trump and his administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.
The prime minister welcomed the US participation in the forum and emphasized that Pakistan’s minerals sector presented immense opportunities, encouraging US companies to invest in that priority sector. He underscored the significance of Pakistan-US relations not only in the bilateral context but also for regional peace and security as well as enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment and counter-terrorism.
Acting Assistant Secretary Meyer congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum. He acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and conveyed the interest of US companies in investing in the minerals sector.
He also expressed the US desire to work with Pakistan on issues of shared interest and said that the US looked forward to enhancing bilateral ties with Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other high-level government officials also attended the meeting.
During the meeting with the interior minister, bilateral relations, mutual interests, and enhanced cooperation were discussed, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said. A key focus of the meeting was bilateral cooperation in critical areas such as counterterrorism, anti-smuggling efforts, and narcotics control.
Expressing solidarity with Pakistan, Eric Meier unequivocally condemned the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffer Express, conveying his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
Naqvi announced that the holding of a Joint Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad in June would be instrumental in further bolstering cooperation in the collective fight against terrorism. He briefed the US delegation on the proactive measures undertaken by Pakistan in its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism. He also drew attention to the shared challenges faced by both nations concerning illegal immigration.
In a gesture of appreciation, Eric Meyer thanked Pakistan for its valuable cooperation in the recent arrest of wanted terrorist Sharifullah, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring regional security.
Meanwhile, the prime minister wrote on his X timeline that Pakistan International Airlines’ return to earning profit after 20 years was a “major turnaround” after decades of losses. “Another good news! Alhamdolilah! PIA set to post its first profit in 20 years, a major turnaround after decades of losses. The skies ahead look brighter, Inshallah!” he wrote. He also lauded the team efforts led by Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif.
According to media reports, PIA’’s board of directors approved its financial results for 2024, depicting an operational profit of Rs3.9 billion and a net profit of Rs2.26 billion. The airline last achieved profit in the year 2003.
