ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has clarified that Pakistan will not retaliate against the tariffs imposed by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking in an interview with a foreign news agency, Aurangzeb expressed concern over the tariffs but emphasized the importance of dialogue over confrontation. “We are concerned about the Trump-era tariffs as they have created uncertainty, but our approach is to engage constructively. We all need to think about how to move forward in this new world order,” he said.
When asked whether Pakistan intends to respond with countermeasures, the finance minister was clear: “If the question is whether Pakistan plans to respond with countermeasures, the answer is no.”
Aurangzeb also addressed the broader implications of global trade tensions, particularly those between the United States and China. He stressed that both nations are vital to Pakistan’s economic interests. “The United States has long been a strategic partner in trade and other areas, and China is equally important. Our goal is to maintain balanced relations with both,” he said.
Last week, Trump announced a new wave of tariffs targeting several countries, initially including a steep 29% tariff on Pakistani exports. However, following diplomatic consultations, the implementation of these tariffs has been delayed by 90 days. Despite the postponement, a baseline tariff of 10% will still apply to all affected countries, including Pakistan.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that Pakistan will send a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the tariffs and explore options for reducing the trade impact. “Diplomacy and engagement are the way forward,” the prime minister remarked in a recent briefing.
The finance minister’s remarks reflect Islamabad’s cautious and measured approach amid rising trade tensions. By opting not to retaliate, Pakistan hopes to maintain favorable relations with both Washington and Beijing while working toward a more stable and predictable global trade environment.
