The United States has urged Pakistan to consider increasing its cotton imports, highlighting the rising need for premium cotton within Pakistan’s textile industry.
This message was conveyed by Natalie A. Baker, the US Chargé d’Affaires, during a meeting with Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan in Islamabad. The session was also attended by representatives from the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC), led by Charles Freeman, Senior Vice President of the US Chamber.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, Baker welcomed the recent resumption of US soybean exports to Pakistan and identified cotton trade as a promising area for deeper cooperation. “There’s strong potential for growth in the cotton sector, especially with the US well-positioned to supply high-quality cotton to meet Pakistan’s industrial demand,” she said.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal noted that the government is working on a comprehensive plan to reduce the trade deficit with the US while also tackling market access challenges faced by Pakistani exporters. “We are involving all relevant stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy aimed at resolving trade imbalances and expanding bilateral market opportunities,” he said.
He also referred to the recent 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs announced by former US President Donald Trump as a timely opening for constructive dialogue. “This presents a chance to establish a stable and mutually advantageous trade framework,” Jam added.
Reaffirming the importance of the bilateral relationship, the minister said the US remains Pakistan’s top export destination. He expressed appreciation for the strategic trade partnership and assured that Pakistan is committed to ensuring a transparent and investor-friendly business climate for American companies.
Jam further pointed to signs of economic recovery, noting improvements in key macroeconomic indicators. He highlighted recent government reforms aimed at making the business environment more predictable, including reduced policy rates, easing inflation, lower electricity costs for industries, and a pledge to maintain policy consistency and regulatory clarity.
