Trade Deal with Pakistan Only If It Avoids Tensions with India, Warns Trump

DIDPress: US president Donald Trump warned Washington will not agree on trade tariffs with Pakistan if Islamabad engages in new conflicts with India.

According to Reuters, Pakistani representatives are scheduled to travel to the U.S. this week for trade negotiations. However, these talks will only be fruitful if Pakistan refrains from escalating tensions with New Delhi.

Pakistan currently faces a 29% tariff on its exports to the U.S. due to a $3 billion trade surplus, under Washington’s new trade policies. Meanwhile, India is subject to a 26% tariff on its shipments to the U.S., but trade negotiations between the two countries are progressing.

“We are very close to a deal with India,”Trump told reporters after stepping off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base.

At the same time, Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce, is visiting Washington to strengthen the trade talks, with both sides aiming to reach a preliminary agreement before July.