Pakistan US Trade Deal: Talks Make Progress, Some Issues Still Unresolved
Talks on a revised Pakistan US trade agreement have made substantial progress, but a few technical issues are still unresolved, Commerce Secretary…
Talks on a revised Pakistan US trade agreement have made substantial progress, but a few technical issues are still unresolved, Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul said, according to a Business Recorder report on 21 October 2026. Several negotiation rounds have been held in Washington under Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and both sides have committed to keep talking. No signing date has been announced.
Pakistan US trade in numbers (2025)
| Item | Value | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total goods and services trade | About $11.5 billion | +14% |
| Goods trade | $8.5 billion | – |
| US goods exports to Pakistan | $3.1 billion | +48.4% |
| US goods imports from Pakistan | $5.4 billion | +5.9% |
| US goods trade deficit with Pakistan | $2.3 billion | – 23.9% |
| Services trade | About $2.9 billion | – |
Source: US trade data cited by Business Recorder (21 October 2026).
What is being discussed
- Agriculture: faster US inspection visits for Pakistani mangoes and market access for dates; US interest in selling cotton, soybeans and olive oil.
- Minerals and mining: investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mining sector.
- Food processing and cold chain: agricultural machinery and storage infrastructure.
- Industry: manufacturing and special economic zones, including in Hub, Balochistan.
What officials said
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said Pakistan sees strong potential to expand trade and investment and invited US companies to the FoodAg 2026 exhibition. US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker reiterated US interest in deeper engagement in trade, agriculture, technology and investment.
Why it matters
The US is one of the largest buyers of Pakistani goods, especially textiles. Pakistan sold $5.4 billion of goods to the US in 2025, and the narrowing US deficit reflects a sharp rise in American exports to Pakistan. A deal that cuts barriers could help exporters and support the rupee. For related news, see our reports on Pakistan’s GDP growth and remittances.
Frequently asked questions
Has Pakistan signed a trade deal with the US?
Not yet. Talks have made progress but some technical issues remain, according to officials.
How much trade do Pakistan and the US do?
About $11.5 billion in goods and services in 2025, according to US data.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration, for representation only.
