<h3 data-start="203" data-end="273">🇺🇸🇵🇰 Trump Backs Pakistan Energy Push in Landmark Trade Pact</h3>
<p data-start="330" data-end="621">In a move poised to recalibrate <a title="US" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/business/trump-hits-indian-exports-with-25-tariff/17227" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US</a>-Pakistan economic relations, President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed a new bilateral trade agreement with Pakistan, describing it as a &ldquo;historic deal&rdquo; focused not only on reducing tariffs but also on jointly exploring Pakistan&rsquo;s nascent oil reserves.</p>
<p data-start="623" data-end="923">President Trump made the announcement via his platform Truth Social, declaring, &ldquo;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&hellip; Who knows, maybe they&rsquo;ll be selling oil to India some day!&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="623" data-end="923">&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="623" data-end="923"><strong>ALSO READ: https://www.benefitnews24.com/geo-politics/trump-s-asia-pivot-keeps-india-close-others-closer/15412</strong></p>
<h3 data-start="925" data-end="965">A Strategic Shift in Economic Ties</h3>
<p data-start="967" data-end="1297">Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari extended gratitude to President Trump, stating, &ldquo;I wish to convey my profound thanks to President Trump for his leadership role in finalising the historic US-Pakistan trade agreement&hellip; This landmark deal will enhance our growing cooperation to expand the frontiers of our enduring partnership.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="1299" data-end="1548">While official tariff details remain undisclosed, both sides have confirmed a commitment to reducing reciprocal duties, improving market access, and bolstering cross-border investment, especially in energy, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.</p>
<p data-start="1550" data-end="1843">The deal, concluded in Washington during a high-level meeting between Pakistan&rsquo;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, marks the first major economic pact between the two nations in nearly a decade.</p>
<h3 data-start="1845" data-end="1896">Oil, Infrastructure, and Strategic Investment</h3>
<p data-start="1898" data-end="2257">Central to the agreement is American support for Pakistan&rsquo;s energy ambitions. With recent offshore discoveries of oil and gas reserves&mdash;estimated between 353 to 500 million barrels&mdash;Islamabad is eager to attract international investment. While President Trump touted US involvement in choosing an oil company to lead the venture, industry experts urged caution.</p>
<p data-start="2259" data-end="2548">Former Pakistani energy regulator Muhammad Arif told <em data-start="2312" data-end="2333">Offshore Technology</em> that while the reserves could reduce Pakistan&rsquo;s dependency on energy imports, &ldquo;the size, extractability, and economic viability remain subject to detailed geological assessments and successful drilling operations.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="2550" data-end="2805">The Pakistani embassy in Washington, in a statement, hailed the agreement as a &ldquo;new era of economic collaboration&rdquo; extending beyond energy to include IT, cryptocurrency, and minerals, and highlighted that the deal also enables US state-level partnerships.</p>
<h3 data-start="2807" data-end="2840">A Broader MAGA Trade Agenda</h3>
<p data-start="2842" data-end="3122">For Trump, the deal aligns with his MAGA initiative, which prioritises bilateral deals aimed at reducing America&rsquo;s trade deficit while unlocking new frontiers in strategic energy cooperation. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not just making trade deals,&rdquo; Trump posted, &ldquo;we&rsquo;re building energy partnerships.&rdquo;</p>
<p data-start="3124" data-end="3324">Pakistan, long a recipient of security aid, now appears to be repositioning itself as a trade and investment partner, in part due to internal economic pressures and the search for new revenue streams.</p>
<p data-start="3326" data-end="3662">While cautious optimism surrounds the agreement, experts warn that real economic benefits will depend on policy consistency, regulatory transparency, and successful energy extraction. Nevertheless, the US-Pakistan accord underscores a mutual willingness to shift from transactional diplomacy to a more substantive economic relationship.</p>

Pak Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb met USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC

Trump backs Pakistan oil push as landmark trade deal deepens bilateral energy, trade ties

Trump, Sharif Seal New Trade Pact

Trump backs Pakistan oil push as landmark trade deal deepens bilateral energy, trade ties

July 31, 2025 | 22:12 IST