Pakistan Says US Trade Deal Could Close Within Days
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a Washington think tank on July 25, 2025, that his country is “very close” to finalising a trade agreement with the United States. He added, “It’s not going to be months, not even weeks—it could be days.”
Productive Talks, No Timeline Confirmed
Dar’s comments followed meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two sides discussed deepening trade and economic ties, including cooperation in critical minerals and mining. However, U.S. officials gave no confirmation of a deal or any timeline for one to be signed. There was no firm announcement from Washington.
Addressing Tariff Pressures
Pakistan faces a 29% tariff on its exports to the U.S., as part of broader tariffs introduced due to trade imbalances. Pakistani officials have proposed importing more American goods—such as crude oil—and offered investment concessions in the mining sector to help offset the surplus and ease tariff burdens.
Geopolitical Context and Regional Mediation
Ishaq Dar also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary Rubio for helping calm tensions between Pakistan and India following an April militant attack in Kashmir and a subsequent conflict in May. The U.S. side did not mention mediation, and India maintains it prefers direct bilateral dialogue.
What Comes Next
Both sides described the state of negotiations as forward-moving, but with no concrete schedule revealed. Analysts note that a final trade deal remains uncertain, and may hinge on reciprocal tariff cuts and market access terms.
If completed in the coming days, the agreement could ease financial strain on Pakistan and expand U.S. access to Pakistan’s raw materials. But until the U.S. confirms a timeline, the trade pact remains a hopeful possibility rather than a certainty.
