Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and the United States have renewed efforts to deepen economic ties, holding fresh virtual discussions aimed at expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation across key sectors.
The talks, led by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer, come as Islamabad seeks to build on a previous tariff arrangement and secure a more comprehensive, forward-looking trade framework.
According to Pakistan’s commerce ministry, both sides explored avenues to diversify trade and enhance collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including digital commerce, regulatory alignment and technical cooperation.
The discussions are part of a broader push by Islamabad to reduce reliance on traditional exports and tap into emerging sectors such as information technology and digital trade.
“Pakistan is committed to strengthening its trade relationship with the United States through a balanced, forward-looking framework that benefits both economies,” Khan said in an official statement, emphasizing the country’s intent to expand and modernize trade ties.
The renewed engagement follows last year’s agreement between the two countries after the US administration imposed steep “reciprocal tariffs” that threatened Pakistani exports.
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That deal helped ease trade tensions and opened the door for cooperation in sectors such as energy, mining, information technology and even cryptocurrency.
Officials on both sides expressed optimism about maintaining momentum toward a broader agreement. The latest round of talks also underscored the importance of continued technical-level engagement to facilitate progress and address regulatory challenges that could hinder trade expansion.
Beyond economics, the US side acknowledged Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability, particularly amid ongoing tensions linked to the Iran conflict.
This recognition signals that strategic considerations remain intertwined with economic cooperation between the two countries.
Switzer reiterated Washington’s interest in a “balanced and mutually beneficial” trade relationship, highlighting the importance of sustained dialogue.
Both sides agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks and work toward early progress on a comprehensive agreement.
Khan also extended an invitation for US officials to visit Pakistan, signaling Islamabad’s willingness to further institutionalize economic engagement.
