Washington:
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, a possible indication of improved relations. The conversation occurred shortly after both parties finalized new trade and mineral supply agreements, and was also attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Prior to the meeting, Trump praised the visiting dignitaries as “great people,” and hinted they “might be in the room already.” According to ANI, Sharif and Munir waited nearly half an hour until Trump concluded other meetings before entering the Oval Office, although the White House has not verified this.
At 4:52 pm, the delegation was ushered in and they left just after 6 pm.
Trade, Minerals & Oil: A Fresh Cooperation
The agreements finalized earlier this month in Islamabad set the stage for the visit. Pakistan will supply the US with rare earths and critical minerals and an American company is investing $500 million in this area. Trump is also promising to work with them for exploration of oil fields, which he noted are “massive”.
Bilateral trade on both sides approached $10.1 billion in 2024, a 6.3% increase over 2023. The US continues to run a goods trade deficit of $3 billion with Pakistan.
From Distrust To Diplomacy
In the past, Washington viewed Islamabad as a partner in security during the Cold War and the “war on terror” after 9/11. But relations soured once Osama bin Laden was found in Pakistan and Trump claimed in 2018 that Pakistan had provided “nothing but lies and deceit” to the US.
But as the region changes and clashes of the last year between India and Pakistan comes into play, it seems Pakistan is getting a payoff. Munir has been in Washington three times in recent months. The last time a Pakistani prime minister entered the White House was held by Imran Khan in 2019.
Trump even took credit for bluffing tensions between India and Pakistan, although New Delhi has repeatedly pushed back on such.
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