Pakistani officials to arrive in US next week for trade discussions, says Trump

WASHINGTON (REUTERS): US President Donald Trump said that representatives from Pakistan are coming to the United States next week as the South Asian country seeks to make a deal on tariffs.

Pakistan faces a potential 29% tariff on exports to the United States due to a $3 billion trade surplus with the world’s biggest economy, under tariffs announced by Washington last month on countries around the world. Tariffs were subsequently suspended for 90 days so negotiations could take place.

Pakistan last month decided to dispatch a high-level delegation to the US for negotiations aimed at enhancing bilateral trade relations and addressing concerns related to newly imposed US tariffs on Pakistani imports.

The decision was made on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a review meeting held in Islamabad on April 9, with the huddle focusing on increasing national exports and discussing the Washington’s recent tariff measures.

The delegation will include prominent business figures and leading exporters, reflecting the government’s intent to engage key stakeholders in shaping a mutually beneficial path forward.

In today’s talk, Trump said he would have no interest in making a deal with the South Asian country or its neighbour, India, if they were to engage in war with each other.

Trump’s remarks come a day after Pakistan formally kicked off negotiations with the US on reciprocal tariffs as Islamabad seeks to capitalise on the Trump administration’s interest in boosting trade with South Asia.