Pakistan and the United States have launched high-level negotiations in Washington to finalise a proposed Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, with both sides seeking to expand market access, strengthen investment cooperation and review tariff arrangements.

According to the Foreign Office, the two-day talks are being held on Thursday and Friday. Pakistan’s delegation is led by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and includes Additional Secretary and Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Nadeem Chaudhary, and Joint Secretary for Tariff Policy Ashfaq Khan.

The Foreign Office said senior officials from relevant ministries and government departments are also participating virtually to ensure broad institutional representation during the discussions.

The negotiations are focused on developing a framework for reciprocal market access, enhancing bilateral investment cooperation and addressing tariff adjustments as both countries work toward a mutually beneficial trade agreement.

The latest round of talks follows recent virtual engagements between Pakistani and US officials and reflects a broader push to deepen economic cooperation beyond traditional trade.

The discussions are taking place against the backdrop of changing US trade policies and a looming July 24 deadline for temporary tariff measures. Islamabad is seeking improved access for Pakistani goods in the US market while both sides work toward replacing temporary arrangements with a more stable long-term bilateral framework.