Overview
- Pakistan’s delegation led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul held two days of talks in Washington on July 9–10 and officials described the meetings as conducted in a cordial atmosphere with notable progress.
- Both sides focused on narrowing differences over reciprocal tariffs, building on earlier reductions in proposed U.S. tariffs that moved from 29 percent toward 19 percent in prior rounds.
- Negotiators also opened detailed discussions on wider cooperation in energy, mining and critical minerals, information technology, investment and digital finance.
- U.S. legal and procedural limits remain a key constraint because a February Supreme Court ruling narrowed presidential tariff powers and the administration has used temporary trade authority that expires later this month.
- If finalized, the deal would affect Pakistan’s exporters by improving access to the U.S. market and could attract investment, while businesses should watch for the next negotiation steps and any U.S. moves to replace temporary tariff measures.