Pakistan, US Review Bilateral Trade Agreement Progress, Push Agri & Mineral Deals
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad on October 20, 2026, to advance negotiations on a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement. The high-level session, attended by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul, focused on technical alignment with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), expanding agricultural trade, and attracting U.S. capital into mining and industrial infrastructure. Key structural discussions, market access requests, and investment focus areas include:Reciprocal Trade Agreement (RTA) Progress: Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul confirmed substantial progress across key legal and commercial provisions of the proposed framework, with remaining technical clauses scheduled for discussion with USTR officials.Bilateral Agricultural Trade: Pakistan requested expedited U.S. inspection visits to finalize sanitary clearances for mango exports and demanded progress on market access for Pakistani dates (primarily sourced from Balochistan). In exchange, discussions covered U.S. exports of cotton and soybeans to Pakistan supported by competitive trade financing.
Pakistan and the United States have reviewed progress on negotiations for a bilateral reciprocal trade agreement and discussed expanding market access, agricultural exports and investment cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Department (PID) on October 20, 2026.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties and broaden commercial cooperation between the two countries. Senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce also attended the meeting.
Reciprocal Trade Negotiation Status and USTR Technical Terms
During the discussions, Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul said substantial progress had been made on several important provisions of the proposed trade agreement, although some technical matters still required discussions with the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to resolve remaining technical bottlenecks, streamline tariff schedules, and establish a clear timeline for signing the bilateral agreement.
Bilateral Agricultural Trade: Mangoes, Dates, Cotton, and Soybeans
Agricultural market access featured prominently in the meeting. Pakistan requested progress on arrangements to export mangoes to the US, including an expedited visit by relevant American inspection teams. Officials also raised the pending process for gaining market access for Pakistani dates, which could create new export opportunities for growers and businesses, particularly in Balochistan.
The two sides also discussed agricultural trade in the opposite direction, including potential US exports of cotton and soybeans to Pakistan. Discussions covered competitive pricing, trade financing and coordination with relevant institutions to facilitate bilateral agricultural commerce.
FoodAg 2026 Invitation and Agritech Investment
Jam Kamal encouraged American companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s agricultural machinery, food processing, cold-chain infrastructure and modern farming practices. He also invited US businesses and agricultural organisations to participate in FoodAg 2026, scheduled for Karachi from November 23 to 26.
The US Chargé d’Affaires expressed strong interest in facilitating direct engagements between American agricultural technology firms and Pakistani agribusinesses to improve crop yields and processing standards.
Balochistan Mineral Potential, Hub Industrial Park, and Regional Routes
Minerals, mining, technology and industrial investment were other areas of discussion. Pakistan highlighted opportunities in Balochistan, including value-added production of dates and olive oil, as well as manufacturing and industrial development in Hub because of its proximity to Karachi.
The meeting also addressed regional trade connectivity, with Pakistani officials highlighting disruptions to traditional land routes linking Pakistan with Afghanistan and Central Asian markets. Both sides agreed to maintain coordination on trade negotiations, market access and wider economic cooperation.
