Byline: International Desk, July 26th 2025.
Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar is raising expectations that a major bilateral trade agreement could be finalized within days rather than weeks, following intense negotiations in Washington D.C. He stressed both nations are “very close to finalizing a deal”, according to The National and India Today (The Atlantic Council in D.C).
Dar reported that Pakistani negotiating teams have engaged in both in-person and virtual discussions, with a high-level committee appointed by Prime Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb now tasked with finalizing details. “It won’t take months, or weeks–just days,” Dar told The National. Anadolu Ajansi also reported this news story as of Thursday evening (local time).
Dar’s announcement came following his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dar expressed optimism for a speedy resolution, while the U.S. side maintained a cautious stance; official statements acknowledged the significance of deepening trade and collaboration across key minerals and mining sectors but made no reference to any timeline or imminent deal closure; whilst Dar expressed confidence for an early resolution; officials from both sides have maintained a cautious posture regarding timeframes or imminent deal closure, as per Indian Defence News, Reuters and India Today for example; although Dar expressed confidence for an early solution; both parties have not acknowledged these statements as Indian Defence News/Reuters/India Today +13 on 16 October 2018 +13 on 16 October 2018 with regards to such statements from US side which had no timeframe or deal closure and made no mention thereof or timeline or deal closure etc; for their part made no reference whatsoever for an imminent deal closure, without specifying date or timeline whatsoever or imminent deal closure by either party on 17 October 18/19/18 as per official statements issued from both parties’ side concerning timeline/closure/closure dates/closure proposals being swift as Dar expressed confidence on 18 Oct 18.1.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as opposed to 8 March 182019 US State Dept Rubio meeting Rubio as meeting; Dar expressed confidence on an early resolution as possible and has maintained cautious approach with US Secretary Rubio meeting/US Sec Detention statement and confirmed this topic:official statements acknowledged “importance deepening trade and collaboration in critical minerals and mining sectors, which officially being imminent//30/2018 India Today whils.
Pakistan witnessed productive negotiations this week led by Finance Minister Aurangzeb, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. Negotiators focused on tariff reduction and economic cooperation – with optimism that talks could come to an agreement within approximately one week (Reuters/India Defence News).
Canadian-published sources also highlighted Pakistan’s proposal of a zero-tariff bilateral trade agreement on certain goods, reflecting Islamabad’s offer to open up their domestic market to U.S. products such as crude oil and foreign investment in mining production as part of efforts to offset the 29% retaliatory U.S. tariff imposed in April targeting countries with trade surpluses like Pakistan’s $3 billion surplus in 2024 (Reuters +5 or Indian Defence News+5 respectively).
Dar emphasized Pakistan’s preference for trade over aid in his remarks, noting his country plans to broaden market access for U.S. products while actively welcoming American investment in areas like mining, energy and digital commerce (Anadolu Ajansi/Geo News/The News International/etc).
Economic issues aside, discussions with Rubio also focused on regional security, technological cooperation, artificial intelligence and counterterrorism – with both parties agreeing to hold a counterterrorism dialogue this August – signaling goodwill towards greater strategic cooperation between them. Sources for these information included The News International + 2 (Geo News +2) The Times of India +2.
Dar commended U.S. participation–including support from President Donald Trump and Rubio–in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May; although New Delhi disputes external mediation as the means for conflict resolution. Geo News/Reuters gives this number as +6
As international focus shifts to Pakistan-U.S. trade talks in their final days of negotiation, Pakistani officials remain upbeat about reaching an agreement soon that could play an instrumental role in revitalizing economic engagement between these two nations by lowering tariffs and opening new opportunities for investment and trade.