APTMA Applauds Trump’s Trade Intentions with Pakistan

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has expressed its approval of US President Donald Trump’s stated intention to “increase trade, substantially” with Pakistan.

In a statement issued this week, APTMA conveyed its expectation that the United States will ease current and prospective tariffs on Pakistani exports. This follows Islamabad’s actions to expand cotton imports from the US.

APTMA voiced its support for Trump’s encouraging message towards Pakistan, which highlights the importance of peace, diplomacy, and stability in the region.

“We acknowledge President Donald J. Trump’s objective to ‘increase trade, substantially,’ with Pakistan as a promising indication for future economic cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan. This is especially relevant in the textile sector, a critical component of Pakistan’s export economy that supports millions of livelihoods,” the statement noted.

“His statement is a well-timed acknowledgement of the vital role that trade can fulfill in this context,” the statement added.

These comments are in response to the US President’s recent post, where he shared his plans to significantly boost trade with both nations and his willingness to mediate the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

APTMA emphasized that the US is currently Pakistan’s primary export destination, with textiles comprising almost 80% of the total exports to the US market.

The association also highlighted the comprehensive nature of Pakistan’s textile industry, which encompasses the entire value chain and has a long history of producing and exporting a wide array of textile products. Furthermore, Pakistan ranks as the second-largest importer of US cotton and has actively increased its cotton imports to address concerns regarding the trade imbalance.

“Aligned with these increased imports, we anticipate the US will lower existing and proposed tariffs on exports from Pakistan, thereby improving access to markets and facilitating greater trade opportunities.”

APTMA affirmed its backing for global initiatives, particularly those spearheaded by the US, that aim to promote enduring peace in South Asia. This includes resolving longstanding disputes through conversation and mutual understanding.

“We acknowledge the deep interconnection between economic collaboration and regional stability and remain dedicated to promoting peace via trade-led engagement. Building on this progress, we anticipate strengthening a robust and mutually advantageous trade partnership between the US and Pakistan, founded on respect, national sovereignty, and shared economic objectives,” the statement concluded.