WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is in the US this week for a critical round of trade talks, aimed at securing tariff relief and expanding bilateral economic cooperation under the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda.

The finance minister and his delegation held productive meetings on Thursday with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in enhancing trade and economic ties, describing these as a cornerstone of Pakistan-US bilateral relations.

In the joint session, Minister Aurangzeb emphasised, “The US remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner,” and underscored Pakistan’s keen interest in expanding cooperation not only in traditional sectors but also in non-traditional fields such as the IT and tech sector, minerals, and agriculture.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to exploring opportunities to strengthen these ties in all possible areas of mutual benefit.

Reflecting on the talks, officials from both countries expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions would produce positive outcomes, benefiting the economies of both nations.

Mr Aurangzeb’s visit comes at a pivotal moment as Pakistan seeks to secure exemptions or tariff concessions ahead of an unofficial August 15 deadline set by the Trump administration to revise tariff regimes affecting several trade partners.

A senior Pakistani official involved in the negotiations told Dawn, “We’re not here for aid. We’re here for serious negotiations and a possible deal. It’s about mutual benefit now — trade, not dependence.”

The deadline looms as the administration signals a push for “concrete deliverables” to ensure trade relationships align with Washington’s strategic and economic interests.

A source close to the US administration commented, “The president wants concrete deliverables before the August 15 deadline. Countries that stall may find themselves on the wrong end of a tariff wall.”

Behind the scenes, influential US-based businessmen with stakes in cryptocurrency and rare earth mineral ventures have quietly supported Pakistan’s efforts to gain greater access to American markets.

US firms have also expressed growing interest in Pakistan’s rare earth mineral deposits, particularly in Balochistan and northern areas, alongside emerging digital currency projects.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025