WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Pakistani representatives will be coming to the United States next week. The South Asian country is interested in reaching an agreement regarding tariffs. President Trump mentioned this to the media at Joint Base Andrews.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Pakistani officials are scheduled to visit the United States next week to discuss a potential trade agreement.
This development comes as Pakistan faces the threat of a 29 percent tariff on its exports to the U.S., following Washington’s recent imposition of tariffs on several countries.
The tariffs were prompted by Pakistan’s $3 billion trade surplus with the United States, which has drawn increased scrutiny. The upcoming talks aim to negotiate terms that could help Pakistan avoid or reduce the tariffs and foster stronger economic ties between the two nations.
Trump said he had no interest in making a deal with either Pakistan or its neighbor India if the two were to engage in conflict. The nuclear-armed rivals exchanged fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery in four days of clashes this month — their worst fighting in decades.
“As you know, we’re very close [to] making a deal with India,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews after departing Air Force One.
Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal recently visited Washington to advance negotiations, with both sides aiming to sign an interim agreement by early July.
India currently faces 26 percent tariffs on its shipments to the US.
Reuters reported last week that India is likely to allow US firms to bid on contracts worth over $50 billion, mainly from federal entities.
