Islamabad (TDI): US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker called on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and Member of National Assembly, Bilawal Bhutto, on Thursday, at the Zardari House.
Bilawal, who has previously served as Pakistan’s 37th Foreign Minister, is known for his vigor in foreign policy. In meeting with Natalie Baker, he appreciated the role of President Trump in facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, on May 10, 2025.
US Embassy, in a post on X, said the Charge d’Affaires appreciates Bilawal’s “continued statesmanship, counterterrorism support, and good faith efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Pakistan partnership.”
Thank you, @BBhuttoZardari – appreciate your perspective on recent events, continued statesmanship, counterterrorism support, and good faith efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Pakistan partnership. -NB pic.twitter.com/OjE8h7b5ka
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) May 23, 2025
A statement, released by PPP said “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued engagement and collaboration on matters of mutual interest.”
Bilawal Bhutto stressed on increasing commercial ties between Pakistan and the US, as such ties are a guarantor of long-term mutually beneficial partnership. He lauded the role of the US in promoting dialogue and peace in regional conflicts elsewhere.
US President, Donald Trump, has made indirect offers and has signaled more trade with Pakistan following the ceasefire on May 10.
Both countries already have a working trade relationship but since the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the bilateral relationship grew much less strategically significant.
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Since brokering the critical ceasefire, the United States, especially Trump himself, has mentioned numerous times that he eyes a solution to the Kashmir issue, and want to do more trade with Pakistan.
Pakistan is planning trade talks with the US to offset the 29% tariffs announced by Trump for Pakistani exports, which are on hold for 90 days so that talks can take place and new terms of trade can be agreed upon.
More recently, plans to offer concessions to US firms in Pakistan’s mining sector are being considered, as the Federal Minister of Commerce told the media that in Balochistan, investment concessions will be offered to US firms.
Nuzhat Rana is the Managing Editor (website) at The Diplomatic Insight.
