In response to the United States’ recent imposition of a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that Pakistan will dispatch a high-level delegation to Washington to negotiate the tariffs and explore avenues to enhance bilateral trade relations. This decision was made during a meeting in Islamabad on April 9, 2025, where the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the longstanding trade partnership between the two nations.
The delegation will comprise government officials, prominent businesspersons, and exporters, tasked with formulating a mutually beneficial strategy in light of the new tariffs. The Prime Minister’s Office highlighted that Pakistan’s embassy in the U.S. is maintaining continuous communication with the Trump administration to address these trade concerns.
This development coincides with heightened interest from U.S. companies in investing in Pakistan’s mineral sector. Eric Meyer, a senior official from the U.S. State Department, met with Prime Minister Sharif to convey this interest and to discuss potential collaborations in trade, investment, and counterterrorism efforts.
The backdrop to these discussions includes significant global economic shifts, notably the U.S. imposing a 104% tariff on Chinese imports, leading to volatility in financial markets worldwide. Pakistan’s stock exchange experienced a substantial decline, reflecting concerns over a potential global recession.
Pakistan’s commitment to addressing these trade challenges is further evidenced by ongoing efforts to seek flexibility in U.S. tariff policies and to strengthen economic ties through dialogue and cooperation.