Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and the United States are 'very close' to finalising a trade agreement, suggesting the deal could be reached within days. However, U.S. officials made no mention of a specific timeline following Dar’s meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Dar noted that bilateral discussions had progressed significantly, with both sides holding in-person and virtual meetings. “A committee appointed by the prime minister is now working to fine-tune the agreement,” he said, adding that its conclusion is expected in a matter of days, not weeks or months.
Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. has pursued the revision of multiple trade deals, often citing unfair practices and threatening tariffs—claims that many economists contest.
Following the Dar-Rubio meeting, both the U.S. State Department and Pakistan’s foreign ministry released statements highlighting the importance of deepening trade ties, particularly in the areas of critical minerals and mining. However, neither statement provided a timeline for finalising the deal. Rubio’s social media post after the meeting also avoided mentioning any deadlines.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry also acknowledged what it described as the significant role played by Trump and Rubio in helping to defuse tensions between Pakistan and India, referring to their efforts in facilitating a ceasefire. The U.S. State Department’s statement, however, made no reference to India.
Trump has repeatedly credited himself for brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which he announced on social media on May 10 after U.S.-led talks with both sides. India has rejected this version of events, maintaining that it does not accept foreign mediation and that any issues with Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally.
The ceasefire followed a deadly April 22 militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, which left 26 dead and triggered intense cross-border clashes. On May 7, India carried out strikes on Pakistani territory, prompting retaliatory attacks and a three-day escalation before the ceasefire was declared.
India blamed the April attack on Pakistan, which denied any involvement and called for an impartial international investigation. While Washington condemned the violence, it did not publicly assign blame to Islamabad.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilians during New Year attacks, as intensified fighting coincided with U.S.-led efforts to push both sides towards ending the nearly four-year war.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear facilities as well as civilian prisoners, under long-standing bilateral agreements, according to official statements from both countries.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
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