Summary Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has arrived in Washington for a three-day visit to hold talks with US officials on trade, tariffs, investment and broader economic cooperation.
WASHINGTON (Web Desk) – Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has arrived in Washington for a three-day official visit, during which he is expected to hold talks with US officials on trade, investment, finance and broader economic cooperation.
Pakistan and the United States are set to resume negotiations on Monday aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties. During the visit, Aurangzeb is scheduled to meet officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US Export-Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
A key focus of the discussions will be the framework for a possible bilateral trade agreement designed to expand trade and investment between the two countries. The talks are expected to cover tariffs, market access, investment opportunities and wider economic cooperation.
Meetings with the US Export-Import Bank and the DFC will also explore financing opportunities for infrastructure, energy and private-sector investment projects in Pakistan.
Aurangzeb's visit comes as Islamabad and Washington continue negotiations over US tariffs on Pakistani exports. A Pakistani delegation that visited Washington earlier this month secured a reduction in the proposed tariff rate from 29% to 19%.
The tariff framework has since changed following a US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The US administration subsequently introduced a temporary 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which is scheduled to expire on July 24.
Pakistan is also among nearly 60 countries under investigation by the USTR under Section 301 over alleged forced labour and related trade practices. Islamabad has submitted detailed responses, including an additional submission ahead of the latest round of negotiations.
In addition to tariff-related issues, both sides are expected to discuss measures to enhance bilateral trade and attract greater investment.
Earlier this year, Aurangzeb visited Washington to attend the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, where he held discussions with international financial institutions, investors and US officials on Pakistan's economic reform agenda, macroeconomic stability and plans to return to international capital markets through Panda Bonds and Eurobonds.
