Latest news with #US Pakistan relations


Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the U.S. after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline. "I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with U.S. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now," Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. "It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days," he said. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterization. The U.S. State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalizing a trade deal. The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar "appreciated the pivotal role" by Trump and Rubio "in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire." The State Department statement did not mention India. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump's claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats. India's position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement. An April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7 and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10. New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad.


Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline
US secretary of state Marco Rubio shakes the hand of Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar in Washington. (AP pic) WASHINGTON : Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the US and Pakistan were 'very close' to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the US after Dar met with secretary of state Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline. 'I think we are very close to finalising a deal with U.S. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing and having virtual meetings, and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now,' Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. 'It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days,' he said. Under US President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterisation. The US state department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the state department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalising a trade deal. The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar 'appreciated the pivotal role' played by Trump and Rubio 'in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire.' The state department statement did not mention India. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump's claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats. India's position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement. An April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7, and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10. New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad.


Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline
WASHINGTON, July 25 (Reuters) - Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday the United States and Pakistan were "very close" to a trade deal that could come within days, but comments from the U.S. after Dar met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned no timeline. "I think we are very close to finalizing a deal with U.S. Our teams have been here in Washington, discussing, having virtual meetings and a committee has been tasked by the prime minister to fine-tune now," Dar said in a discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. "It's not going to be months, not even weeks, I would say (just) days," he said. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington has attempted to renegotiate trade agreements with many countries that he threatened with tariffs over what he calls unfair trade relations. Many economists dispute Trump's characterization. The U.S. State Department and Pakistan's foreign ministry, in separate statements after Rubio's meeting with Dar, said the two stressed in their discussion the importance of expanding trade and ties in critical minerals and mining. A post by Rubio on X after the meeting and the State Department's statement mentioned no timeline for finalizing a trade deal. The Pakistan foreign ministry also said Dar "appreciated the pivotal role" by Trump and Rubio "in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India by facilitating a ceasefire." The State Department statement did not mention India. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the India-Pakistan ceasefire he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India disputes Trump's claims that the ceasefire resulted from his intervention and trade threats. India's position is that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve problems directly with no outside involvement. An April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. India struck Pakistan on May 7 and the two nations exchanged hostilities, killing dozens across three days. The ceasefire was declared on May 10. New Delhi blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility and called for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not blame Islamabad.


Bloomberg
24-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Pakistan Delegation Set to Meet Trump Administration, US Says
A delegation from Pakistan is set to meet US officials in an effort to finalize a trade deal, according to US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Bruce said in a daily press briefing on Wednesday that she will be participating. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is in the US for a United Nations Security Council event, according to its foreign office.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pakistan's finance minister in US to push for trade deal
(Bloomberg) — Pakistan's Finance Minister held meetings with US officials on Friday to negotiate Washington's demands as part of trade talks ahead of an August deadline. The Dutch Intersection Is Coming to Save Your Life Mumbai Facelift Is Inspired by 200-Year-Old New York Blueprint How San Jose's Mayor Is Working to Build an AI Capital Milan Corruption Probe Casts Shadow Over City's Property Boom LA Homelessness Drops for Second Year A delegation led by Muhammad Aurangzeb held a 'productive meeting' with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, according to a statement by Pakistan's government, confirming a visit that was earlier reported by Bloomberg News. 'Both parties expressed optimism that ongoing trade talks would yield positive outcomes, benefiting the economies of both countries,' the statement said. Pakistan had earlier expected to wrap up a trade deal with the US by early July, but the talks are taking longer than expected. Relations between Islamabad and Washington are showing signs of improvement in recent months after a prolonged diplomatic chill. Last month, US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, for rare talks at the White House that was followed by Pakistan recommending Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan, which is warming up to the crypto industry, also signed a letter of intent with Trump family's World Liberty Financial in April to accelerate blockchain adoption in the country. Since Munir's visit, trade negotiations have made 'encouraging headway,' the finance ministry said in a statement earlier this week. Pakistan has a relatively small trade deficit of $3 billion with the US compared with many other nations. Pakistan is trying to appease the US to seek reprieve from the 29% reciprocal tariffs initially imposed by Trump. The South Asian nation, already the second-largest buyer of US cotton by value after China, has offered to boost imports of American cotton and soybeans. The US is the largest export market for Pakistan. A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China's Border What the Tough Job Market for New College Grads Says About the Economy How Starbucks' CEO Plans to Tame the Rush-Hour Free-for-All Godzilla Conquered Japan. Now Its Owner Plots a Global Takeover Why Access to Running Water Is a Luxury in Wealthy US Cities ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data