US pushes for stronger cotton trade ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The US has urged Pakistan to boost cotton imports, highlighting the rising demand for premium-quality cotton within Pakistan’s textile industry.

The focus on cotton -- critical to the textile industry -- was discussed during a meeting between Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and a delegation from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC) in Islamabad. The delegation, led by Charles Freeman, senior vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce, was accompanied by US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker.

Baker noted that Pakistan’s robust demand for high-quality cotton and the US’s production capacity create clear potential for growth. She also welcomed the resumption of US soybean exports to Pakistan, calling it a positive signal of the partnership’s resilience and ability to overcome trade hurdles.

Kamal said the USPBC’s visit would further cement economic relations between the two nations and praised its two decades of work in boosting US commercial engagement with Pakistan. He emphasised that the US remains Pakistan’s largest export destination and reaffirmed efforts to resolve trade deficits and market access barriers through coordinated strategies.

The recent 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs has opened a window for constructive dialogue, Kamal added, offering a chance to develop a sustainable, mutually beneficial trade roadmap.

The two sides also reflected on recent high-level engagements and reiterated their commitment to strengthening the long-standing strategic and economic partnership between Pakistan and the US.

The commerce minister assured that Pakistan is committed to creating a predictable and conducive trade environment for US businesses and investors, upholding transparent, rules-based, and fair-trade practices. He emphasised that the government of Pakistan is dedicated to establishing the best possible working relationship with the US, particularly in trade and investment, to ensure progress at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

The minister also highlighted that Pakistan’s economy is showing positive trends, with major macroeconomic indicators stabilising. The government has undertaken focused reforms to improve the ease of doing business, making the environment more predictable and transparent. These reforms include reductions in policy rates and inflation, lower electricity prices for businesses, and a commitment to policy consistency and regulatory transparency.

Freeman appreciated the warmth of the government of Pakistan, which he said is fully committed to facilitating businesses. He expressed hope for continued dialogue and technical cooperation to support economic growth and job creation in both countries.