Pakistani PM and Army Chief Meet US President at White House
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, signaling a significant warming of relations between the two countries. The meeting, which occurred on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, is the first visit by a Pakistani PM to the White House under the Trump administration. The discussions come as the two nations have reportedly reached a trade agreement, a development with notable geopolitical implications for the South Asia region, including India.
Unpacked:
US-Pakistan relations were strained due to disagreements over counter-terrorism strategies, concerns about Pakistan’s support for militant groups, and conflicting interests in Afghanistan. These tensions resulted in reduced military and economic cooperation in recent years.
The agreement sets a 19% US tariff on imports from Pakistan, lower than the 29% previously announced. It is expected to encourage significant US investment in Pakistan and includes discussions on developing Pakistan’s oil reserves.
A stronger US-Pakistan partnership may shift regional balances, potentially complicating US-India relations. India may view increased US support for Pakistan with caution, especially amid ongoing security and trade rivalries in South Asia.
US-Pakistan trade reached $10.1 billion in 2024, a 6.3% increase from 2023. The US has a goods trade deficit with Pakistan but a services trade surplus, with both goods and services exchanges rising steadily year-over-year.