Pakistan, US make substantial progress on trade deal, few technical issues remain for discussion with USTR

According to Profit by Pakistan Today, Islamabad and Washington have moved forward on several central clauses of their proposed reciprocal trade pact, with only a few technical points still pending with the US Trade Representative's office. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul shared this update at a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker. The session reviewed the negotiations along with cooperation prospects in agriculture, minerals, technology and investment.

The meeting also covered market access for mangoes and dates. Paul pressed for quicker visits by American inspection teams tied to mango exports and asked for movement on the pending access process for Pakistani dates. He argued that broader US market access would benefit growers and businesses in Balochistan, and the US delegation signalled it would follow up with relevant American authorities. Both sides also explored expanding American cotton and soybean sales to Pakistan, with trade financing and pricing on the agenda.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan invited American businesses and farm organisations to FoodAg 2026, scheduled for Karachi from November 23 to 26. He also pointed to investment prospects in farm machinery, food processing, cold-chain infrastructure and livestock. Separately, Paul raised concerns about disruptions to land trade routes linking Pakistan with Afghanistan and Central Asia.