Pakistan is sending a high-level delegation to the United States next week to negotiate a trade deal, according to US President Donald Trump. The talks aim to address a potential 29% tariff on Pakistani exports to the US, stemming from a $3 billion trade surplus. While the US initially imposed these tariffs, they were temporarily suspended for 90 days to allow for negotiations.

Pakistan’s delegation, including prominent business figures and exporters, will focus on enhancing bilateral trade relations. The decision to send the delegation follows a review meeting in Islamabad in April, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized increasing national exports.

Pakistan has already initiated formal talks with the US. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer held a telephone call on May 30, discussing reciprocal tariffs. Pakistan has proactively offered a zero-tariff bilateral trade agreement on selected items to expand trade across multiple sectors.

Pakistan plans to offer concessions to US companies investing in its mining sector, particularly in Balochistan, including lease grants and joint ventures with local firms. This strategy also involves increasing imports from the US, addressing current shortages of cotton and edible oils.

President Trump stated that he would be uninterested in a deal if Pakistan and India were to engage in war. This statement follows a recent ceasefire brokered by the US between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The US is reportedly working on “big deals” with both countries.