Pakistan, US near trade deal

Pakistan and the United States have made considerable headway on several key clauses of a proposed reciprocal trade pact, The Express Tribune reported. Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul told a meeting chaired by federal commerce minister Jam Kamal Khan that only a handful of technical issues remain to be settled with the US Trade Representative. The update came in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The commerce minister also held talks with US Chargé d'Affaires Natalie A Baker, touching on farm, mining, technology and investment links. Mangoes and dates were a central focus, and Paul asked for American inspection teams to visit sooner in connection with mango exports, while pressing for movement on pending access for dates. He said wider access could open export opportunities for growers in Balochistan, and the US delegation agreed to follow up with American authorities.

Both sides also explored more US cotton and soybean exports to Pakistan, with competitive pricing and trade financing highlighted as key factors. Kamal Khan encouraged American companies to invest in farm machinery, food processing and cold-chain infrastructure, and invited them to FoodAg 2026 in Karachi from November 23 to 26.