Pakistan, US seal trade deal

Trump says oil company will lead Pak-US partnership; Slaps 25% tariffs on imports from India; Slams trade barriers


Agencies July 31, 2025 4 min read
Photo: FILE

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WASHINGTON:

The United States struck a trade deal with Pakistan, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, hours after announcing 25% tariffs on imports from India in addition to unspecified "penalty" over New Delhi's purchases of Russian weapons and energy.

Trump said that the deal with Pakistan included joint development of the country's "massive" oil reserves. The announcement came as talks continue with other nations, including South Korea, ahead of his self-imposed August 1 deadline.

"We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves," Trump wrote in post on his social media platform of 'Truth Social'.

Donald J. Trump Truth Social 07.30.25 03:44 AM EST pic.twitter.com/crA6JYsnG6

— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 30, 2025

"We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they'll be selling Oil to India some day!" the US president wrote in his post, without giving additional details of the deal.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his role in finalising a “historic” trade agreement between Pakistan and the United States.

“I wish to convey my profound thanks to President Trump for his leadership role in finalization of the historic US-Pakistan trade agreement, successfully concluded by our two sides in Washington, last night,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.

I wish to convey my profound thanks to President Trump @realDonaldTrump for his leadership role in finalization of the historic US-Pakistan trade agreement, successfully concluded by our two sides in Washington, last night.
This landmark deal will enhance our growing cooperation…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 31, 2025

He said that the “landmark” deal would enhance the bilateral growing cooperation to expand the frontiers of enduring partnership in days to come.

Trump said that his administration was "very busy in the White House today working on Trade Deals." He said: "I have spoken to the Leaders of many Countries, all of whom want to make the United States 'extremely happy.' I will be meeting with the South Korean Trade Delegation this afternoon."

Trump imposed an August 1 deadline for dozens of nations to strike trade deals with the US or face tariffs heightened well above the 10% baseline he had already rolled out. In a separate announcement, Trump said that the August 1 deadline "stands strong, and will not be extended."

Trump also announced 25% tariffs on imports from India, saying Indian tariffs were "among the highest in the World" and that New Delhi had "the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country."

The 25% tariff would be marginally lower than the rate announced in April, but is higher than those of other Asian countries. India was one of the first major economies to engage the Trump administration, but its reluctance to fully open its agricultural and other sectors prevented a deal, so far.

"Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country," Trump said on Wednesday morning.

He added that India has "always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE." In addition to the 25% tariff, India will face "a penalty for the above," Trump said.

Later in the day, he told reporters that talks on the tariffs were ongoing and "we'll see what happens," but he did not elaborate on the penalty. in response the Indian government said that it's studying the implications of Trump's tariffs announcement.

India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a "fair, balanced and mutually beneficial" bilateral trade agreement over the last few months, and New Delhi remains committed to that objective, India's Trade Ministry said in a statement.

The US president has so far reached agreements with the UK, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan and the European Union, though details on many of the deals remain scant with the White House acknowledging that some require further negotiations.

Trump sounded an optimistic note that a deal will be reached with China, which was given until August 12 to reach an agreement. "We're doing fine with China. I think it's going to work out very well. I think we're going to have a very fair deal with China," he said.

"Other Countries are making offers for a Tariff reduction. All of this will help reduce our Trade Deficit in a very major way. A full report will be released at the appropriate time. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump said.

Meanwhile, Trump shocked markets with scaled-back 50% tariff on copper pipes and wiring, dragging down US copper prices more than 17% on the Comex exchange and unwound a premium over the London global benchmark that had grown in recent weeks.

COMMENTS (2)

FAM | 13 hours ago | Reply The opportunity to invest in Pakistan s oil reserves was always there. How is this different What other concessions have Pakistan made which are not being mentioned here I am sure China must also be interested in finding out what these concessions are. Given a hybrid regime which lacks legitimacy any deal to keep them in power even at the cost of country s interest would be worth the price to pay.
Nayab Ahmad | 14 hours ago | Reply The USA is forcibly trying to take over the while world economy . We already have deals with China under CPEC and other agreements they should also be involved in helping us develop our oil and minerals sector. At least China is our all-weather friend the USA under Trump is out to exploit our resources but who knows how long and how sincerely they ll be committed
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