Aurangzeb Begins US Visit for Trade Talks

PakTribune

Published Date: July 19, 2026

Published On: PakTribune

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb arrived in Washington on Saturday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and the United States, with discussions expected to focus on trade, investment, financing and ongoing tariff negotiations.

Pakistan and the United States are set to resume negotiations on Monday as both countries work towards developing a broader bilateral economic partnership. The talks are expected to explore measures to increase trade, attract investment and deepen economic cooperation between the two nations.

During his visit, Aurangzeb is scheduled to hold meetings with officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the US Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank), the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A major objective of the visit is to advance discussions on a potential bilateral trade agreement that could expand commercial relations and create new investment opportunities. Negotiators are expected to discuss tariffs, market access, trade facilitation and strategies to strengthen long-term economic cooperation.

The finance minister will also engage with officials from the Exim Bank and the DFC to explore financing opportunities for infrastructure development, energy projects and private-sector investment initiatives in Pakistan. These discussions are expected to support the country’s efforts to attract greater international investment and stimulate economic growth.

Aurangzeb’s visit comes as Islamabad and Washington continue negotiations over tariff measures affecting Pakistani exports to the United States. In April 2025, the Trump administration introduced a 29 percent tariff on Pakistani goods under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, following negotiations by a Pakistani delegation in July 2025, the proposed tariff was successfully reduced to 19 percent.

The tariff framework has since changed after the United States Supreme Court ruled that the IEEPA-based tariffs were invalid. Following the judgment, the Trump administration implemented a temporary global tariff of 10 percent under Section 122 of the Trade Act. The measure is scheduled to expire on July 24 after completing its statutory 150-day duration.

Pakistan is also among nearly 60 countries currently under investigation by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under Section 301 regarding alleged forced labour and related trade practices. Pakistani authorities have submitted detailed responses addressing the concerns, including an additional submission ahead of the latest round of negotiations.

Under the ongoing Section 301 review, Pakistan faces a proposed additional tariff of 10 percent, while India and more than 50 other countries are subject to proposed tariffs of 12.5 percent. Public hearings on the matter remain underway before the USTR.

Beyond tariff-related issues, both governments are expected to discuss broader initiatives aimed at expanding bilateral trade, encouraging private-sector collaboration and attracting greater investment into Pakistan’s economy.

Aurangzeb previously visited Washington in April during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, where he held more than 50 meetings with international financial institutions, investors and credit rating agencies. During those engagements, he presented Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, outlined measures to restore macroeconomic stability and discussed plans to return to international capital markets through Panda Bonds and Eurobonds.

He also met officials from the US Treasury Department and multilateral financial institutions to discuss Pakistan’s economic outlook, including the impact of regional tensions and volatility in global energy markets.

The current visit is expected to build on those discussions as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its economic partnership with the United States, secure improved market access for its exports and attract greater international investment to support long-term economic growth.