Talks between foreign ministers; U.S. delegation attends resource forum.
The United States recently announced new tariffs on foreign goods, set to take effect on April 9, based on each country’s trade deficit with Washington. Pakistan is among the hardest hit, facing a steep 29 percent surcharge. Nevertheless, both countries are currently exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral cooperation. In addition to security policy, critical raw materials were also on the agenda during a recent meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Pakistan holds vast mineral wealth, estimated to be worth six trillion dollars. Many of these resources remain underexplored, including not only copper and gold deposits but also potential reserves of rare earth elements and lithium. Key challenges include outdated infrastructure, a lack of reliable geological data, and low investor confidence—both domestic and international—due to inconsistent mining policies.
With the launch of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum this Tuesday, the country aims to position itself as an attractive destination for investment. A U.S. delegation is expected to attend the event in Islamabad. Eric Meyer, Senior Official at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, will meet with high-ranking Pakistani officials to explore opportunities for American businesses in Pakistan.
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