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ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday emphasised trade and economic cooperation as the foundation for future relations between the US and Pakistan, as the two countries look to deepen engagement in key sectors including critical minerals.
“Cooperation in economy and trade would be the hallmark of future relations between the two countries,” Mr Rubio told Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during a telephone conversation, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
The call comes ahead of a visit by a US delegation to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum being held in Islamabad from April 8 to 10. The interagency team is being led by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.
According to the FO, Mr Rubio expressed particular interest in critical minerals, a sector in which the US has been seeking new international partnerships.
Expresses interest in expanding counter-terror cooperation
The visiting US delegation will meet senior Pakistani officials to discuss expanding business opportunities and fostering US investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources.
The participation in the forum is part of a broader effort by Washington to strengthen its economic footprint in the region amid growing global competition for critical raw materials.
Last week President Donald Trump imposed a 29 per cent tariff on Pakistani goods under his administration’s reciprocal trade policy targeting over 60 countries, aiming to address trade imbalances and promote American-made products.
This move significantly impacts Pakistan, whose annual exports to the US exceed $5.5 billion, with textiles being a key sector.
Responding to the tariff imposition, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had earlier expressed a measured stance, stating that while the government is not overly concerned about the tariffs, it views the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity.
He announced plans to send a delegation to Washington to negotiate with the Trump administration, emphasising a desire to present a “win-win” proposal for long-term trade benefits.
Counter-terrorism cooperation
Counter-terrorism has remained a central pillar of US-Pakistan cooperation in recent years. The arrest and extradition of Sharifullah, an alleged Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) operative, to the United States earlier this year marked the first formal contact between the Trump administration in its second term and Islamabad.
“DPM/FM Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in successfully fighting terrorism during 2013-18, which caused Pakistan huge economic and human losses,” the FO said.
Mr Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions and expressed interest in building on that cooperation.
“Secretary of State Rubio also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and expressed the US desire to further enhance counter-terrorism cooperation,” the statement added.
The two leaders also discussed regional issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.
Secretary Rubio and FM Dar agreed on the need to resolve matters related to US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan after the withdrawal.
Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2025
