ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new trade tariff arrangement with the United States (US) will help expand its footprint in the US market, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Friday.
The statement came a day after the White House said the US will charge a 19 percent tariff on imports from Pakistan, compared to a 29 percent reciprocal tariff announced in April that had raised alarm in Islamabad.
The US is Pakistan’s top export destination, with shipments totaling $5.44 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024, according to official data. From July 2024 to February 2025, exports rose 10 percent from a year earlier.
Pakistan’s finance ministry said the White House decision reflects a “balanced and forward-looking approach” by US authorities that kept Pakistan competitive in relation to other South and Southeast Asian nations.
“In particular, this tariff level is expected to support Pakistan’s export potential, especially in key sectors such as textiles, which remain the backbone of the country’s export economy,” the ministry said.
