Progress in Pakistan-US trade deal talks; Washington keen on farm produce, minerals

ISLAMABAD: US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker met Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The meeting held a detailed exchange of views on expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.

The Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Trade and Industry, Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, and Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul were also present.

Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said that significant progress had been made in the ongoing talks on a reciprocal trade agreement between Pakistan and the United States. However, some technical clauses of the proposed agreement require further discussion with the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Jam Kamal Khan said that expanding trade and economic relations with the United States was among Pakistan’s priorities. According to him, there are wide opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in trade, investment and the private sector.

Access to US market for mangoes and Balochistan dates

The meeting also discussed in detail access to the US market for Pakistani mangoes and dates. The commerce secretary stressed the need to speed up visits by US inspection teams for Pakistani mango exports. He said that access to the US market for Balochistan’s dates would greatly benefit growers and exporters.

The US delegation assured that it would contact the relevant officials on giving Pakistani agricultural products market access. The meeting also discussed increasing cotton and soybean imports from the United States and the possibility of trade financing.

Jam Kamal Khan said that Pakistan’s agriculture sector offers wide opportunities in modern technology, food processing and the cold chain. He invited US companies to invest in Pakistan’s agricultural and industrial sectors.

The federal commerce minister also invited US businesses to attend the Food Ag 2026 exhibition in Karachi from 23 to 26 November. He pointed out that Balochistan offers significant opportunities for value addition in dates, olive oil and other agricultural products.

Minerals, Hub and regional trade routes

The meeting also reviewed the prospects of cooperation in minerals, mining, technical collaboration and skilled workforce development. The US delegation expressed deep interest in investing in Pakistan’s minerals sector and increasing technical cooperation.

Jam Kamal Khan said that Hub in Balochistan is an important location for industrial investment, manufacturing and special economic zones.

The meeting also discussed in detail regional trade links and the difficulties facing land trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asian markets. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said that stable trade routes and effective logistics are essential for promoting exports.

Jam Kamal Khan made it clear that Pakistan seeks a lasting economic partnership with the United States based on mutual interest. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A Baker expressed full interest in increasing cooperation with Pakistan in trade, agriculture, technology and investment.

At the end of the meeting, the two countries agreed to move the trade talks forward, resolve market access issues and strengthen institutional links.