What’s Driving the US-Pakistan Economic Dialogue? Insights from Trump's Administration
Strengthening US-Pakistan Relations
New York: The Trump administration is dispatching a senior official from the State Department to Pakistan to emphasize the importance of counterterrorism collaboration while also exploring avenues for economic partnership.
Eric Meyer, a senior figure in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, will lead a delegation on a three-day mission to Islamabad, as announced by the State Department on Saturday.
During this visit, Meyer aims to engage with high-ranking officials to highlight the significance of ongoing cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Additionally, he will discuss expanding opportunities for American businesses in Pakistan and fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.
The delegation's agenda includes promoting US interests in the critical minerals sector at the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum.
Currently, the position of Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs remains vacant, with Trump's nominee, Paul Kapur, pending Senate confirmation.
In contrast, former President Joe Biden had distanced himself from Pakistan's military-backed governments, refraining from inviting any prime ministers to Washington or visiting the country himself.
Recently, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a significant gesture towards Trump by capturing ISIS-Khorasan leader Mohammad Sharifullah, who was responsible for a suicide bombing that resulted in the deaths of 13 US military personnel during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2023, and subsequently handing him over to the US.
In a recent address to Congress, Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan for assisting in the arrest of this individual.
The capture and extradition of Sharifullah serve as Pakistan's attempt to demonstrate its willingness to cooperate with the US on counterterrorism matters.
With this issue addressed, the Trump administration, which adopts a more transactional approach, is now focusing on Pakistan's business potential, as reflected in the agenda of the Meyer delegation.
Islamabad has initiated a campaign to showcase its mineral resources, attracting the attention of Washington, which is in search of strategic minerals.
The Mineral Forum that Meyer will attend states its mission is to position Pakistan as a significant player in the global mining economy, leveraging its extensive mineral wealth to enhance global supply chain resilience.
Pakistan's media has been promoting its availability of resources such as copper, chromite (the source of chromium), and lithium, which is essential for large batteries.
In 2024, US trade with Pakistan amounted to only $7.3 billion, with the US facing a trade deficit of approximately $3 billion.
Last week, Trump announced a 29 percent reciprocal tariff on imports from Pakistan.