Pakistan is set to dispatch a high-level delegation to the United States to negotiate improvements in bilateral trade relations and address concerns over new US tariffs on Pakistani imports.

This decision was directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday. The core focus of the meeting was to explore avenues for boosting national exports and to discuss the implications of Washington’s recently imposed tariff measures.

The delegation will include prominent business leaders and key exporters, signaling the government’s commitment to involve essential stakeholders in charting a mutually beneficial course. The delegation is tasked with negotiating the newly implemented tariffs and formulating a long-term strategy to protect and grow Pakistan’s trade interests.

Islamabad’s decision follows Washington’s recent announcement of a 29% duty on goods from Pakistan, a response to Pakistan’s 58% tariff on US products. According to a senior official at the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistani exports to the US will now face a total tariff of 39%, which includes a 10% baseline import duty and the 29% reciprocal tariff.

The United States is Pakistan’s largest single-country export market, with annual exports totaling approximately $6 billion, primarily in textiles. Following President Trump’s announcement, PM Shehbaz established a 12-member steering committee to address the reciprocal tariffs. Initial estimates suggest these duties could cost Islamabad between $500 to $700 million.

The meeting, led by PM Shehbaz, included Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with PM’s Adviser Syed Tauqir Shah, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Haroon Akhtar, Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and other high-ranking officials.

During the session, PM Shehbaz was briefed on the findings of both the steering committee and the working group established to assess the impact of the new tariffs. The forum was presented with various alternative strategies. Officials also reported that the Pakistani embassy in Washington is actively engaged with the US administration on this matter.

PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to its long-standing trade relationship with the United States, expressing a desire to further strengthen this strategic partnership. He emphasized the importance of including all relevant business leaders and exporters in the dialogue process.

‘Desire to work with Trump’

The decision to send a delegation to the US was announced shortly after PM Shehbaz met with a US team led by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau official and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, which the US delegation attended.

During their interaction, PM Shehbaz welcomed US participation at the forum, highlighting the significant opportunities within Pakistan’s minerals sector and encouraging US companies to invest in this priority area.

He emphasized the importance of Pakistan-US relations, not only bilaterally but also for regional peace and security, as well as enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, and counter-terrorism. Meyer acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and conveyed the interest of US companies in investing, while also expressing the US desire to collaborate with Pakistan on shared interests.