Pakistan begins formal negotiations with US over reciprocal tariffs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched official talks with the United States to address the reciprocal tariffs recently imposed by Washington on various trading partners, including Pakistan, ARY News reported quoting the Ministry of Finance.

In a video conference, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer engaged in constructive discussions, laying the groundwork for detailed technical-level talks in the coming weeks. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to resolving the issue swiftly and successfully, according to a Ministry of Finance statement.

The negotiations follow the US announcement on April 4, 2025, by President Donald Trump, which introduced a 29% reciprocal tariff on Pakistani goods as part of a broader global trade strategy impacting over 185 countries. Pakistani exporters have raised concerns about the potential disruption to trade flows and reduced competitiveness in the US market.

Khurram Schehzad, advisor to Pakistan’s finance minister, confirmed via his official X account that the initial discussions were positive, with both parties optimistic about reaching a favorable resolution.

Pakistan’s proactive engagement underscores its efforts to protect its trade interests amid evolving global trade policies.

The US tariff policy also affects major trading partners such as India, China, the European Union, and Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Afghanistan, highlighting the broader implications of the new trade measures.