ISLAMABAD: In the light of newly imposed tariffs by the US, Pakistan has decided to send high-level delegation to promote trade relations with US and hold talks on addressing it. The delegation will also include prominent business figures and exporters, as per the directives issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A review meeting on increasing the country’s exports and the new tariffs imposed by the US was held in Islamabad today under the chairmanship of prime minister.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and federal ministers including Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik. Advisor to the PM Syed Tauqir Shah, Coordinator to the PM Rana Ehsan Afzal, and special assistants Tariq Fatemi, Haroon Akhtar also attended the meeting, along with other relevant senior officials.
It was decided during the meeting to send a delegation to the US to discuss trade relations. The delegation has also been tasked by the prime minister to work out a mutually beneficial course of action for the future after the negotiations on the new tariffs imposed by the US on imports.
“US-Pakistan trade relations span decades, “PM Sharif said, adding that the government of Pakistan is keen to further strengthen trade partnership with the US.
The premier was presented with the report of the Steering Committee and Working Group on the new tariffs imposed by the US and the proposed future course of action. The meeting was also presented with various alternative courses of action. The attendees were informed that the Pakistani Embassy in the US is in constant contact with the US government.
The prime minister has directed to ensure the participation of prominent business figures and exporters while forming a delegation for negotiations with the US in this regard.
Earlier this month, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had announced the government’s decision to send “a high-level delegation to Washington to get our views across and to ensure that we want to be a partner, which is a long term strategic partner”.
He said that Pakistan aims to ensure a win-win situation for both countries in the medium to long term. He added that the United States is an important strategic partner for Pakistan and remains its largest trading partner in terms of exports.
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