Pakistan on Friday (August 1, 2025) introduced that the U.S. has imposed a 19% tariff on its exports and termed the step as a “balanced and forward-looking” transfer that enhances the nation’s competitiveness within the American market.
The new charge is down from the earlier 29% tariff introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Welcoming the “successful conclusion” of the tariff-related discussions with the U.S., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an announcement mentioned, “As per the outcome of these talks, a tariff of 19% will be applicable for Pakistani exports to the U.S. market.” The choice mirrored a “balanced and forward-looking approach by the U.S. authorities, keeping Pakistan competitive relative to other South and Southeast Asian countries”, it mentioned.
The Ministry mentioned the revised tariff stage is predicted to assist Pakistan’s export potential, particularly in key sectors equivalent to textiles, “which remain the backbone of the country’s export economy”.
Pakistan’s exports to the U.S. rose by 11.06% to $5.552 billion from $4.999 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal.
The Ministry said the current tariff presented a “significant opportunity to expand Pakistan’s footprint in the U.S. market”.
“It is now essential for Pakistani exporters and trade bodies to adopt an aggressive and focused marketing strategy to capitalise on this development,” it said.
The statement also pointed out a substantial potential for growth in other sectors.
“The Government of Pakistan looks forward to further positive engagements and close cooperation with the United States in the areas of investment, artificial intelligence, crypto currency, mines and minerals, energy, and other emerging sectors,” it mentioned.
The Ministry mentioned Pakistan will proceed to interact carefully with Mr. Trump and the U.S. administration to advertise the shared targets of financial improvement and mutual prosperity.
The revised tariff for Pakistan got here after the U.S. and Islamabad finalised a trade deal in Washington on Wednesday.
In a social media submit on Wednesday, the U.S. President mentioned, “We have simply concluded a deal with the nation of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work collectively on growing their large oil reserves.” However, it was not instantly clear what large oil reserves in Pakistan Mr. Trump was referring to.
Meanwhile, Khurram Schehzad, Adviser to Pakistan’s Finance Minister, in a social media submit mentioned, “Pakistan is possibly the only country which the U.S. has offered its investments as well, besides a competitive trade deal.” The “deal signals a strategic deepening of economic ties and shared growth”, he mentioned.
Pakistan has lengthy claimed to have massive oil deposits alongside its coast, however no progress has been made to faucet these deposits. It has been attempting to lure in investments to faucet into these reserves.
The nation presently imports oil from West Asia to satisfy its vitality calls for.
Mr. Trump on Thursday signed an government order that raised tariffs for over 5 dozen international locations with Washington’s negotiations for trade offers went right down to the wire forward of the August 1 deadline.
The tariffs within the listing vary from 10% to 40%, with Japan being charged 15%, Laos and Myanmar (40% every), Sri Lanka (20%) and the United Kingdom (10%).
