Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting on the recent US tariff hike, directing the formation of a special delegation to engage in direct negotiations with American officials in Washington.

The meeting, held in Islamabad, focused on the implications of the newly imposed US trade tariffs and Pakistan’s strategy to safeguard its export interests. Following detailed briefings, the government decided to dispatch a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials, prominent businessmen, and leading exporters.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that Pakistan’s trade relationship with the United States spans several decades and remains a cornerstone of the country’s foreign economic policy. “Our government is committed to further strengthening this vital partnership and exploring ways to ensure that it continues to thrive in a mutually beneficial manner,” the premier said.

He added that the upcoming talks in Washington aim to find common ground and develop a long-term, strategic trade plan between the two countries. 

According to officials, the delegation has been tasked with devising a future course of action that protects Pakistan’s economic interests while addressing the concerns raised by the US through its revised tariff structure.

The prime minister also reviewed updates from the Pakistani Embassy in Washington, which remains in constant contact with the US government. Embassy officials briefed the meeting on the progress of preliminary discussions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and maintain a steady trade flow. 

“The aim is to negotiate a fair framework that supports our exporters, encourages bilateral trade, and maintains the positive momentum in Pakistan-US economic relations,” said a senior official involved in the planning of the delegation’s visit.

The delegation is expected to depart for the US in the coming days.

On April 5, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had announced that Pakistan planned to send a high-level delegation to Washington to reinforce its commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with the United States.

Speaking at a press conference, Aurangzeb said the government is in the final stages of formulating its recommendations, which will soon be presented to the prime minister for approval. Once approved, a delegation will travel to Washington to present Pakistan’s perspective and emphasize its intent to build a sustainable strategic relationship.

“In the next couple of days, we are going to finalize our recommendations to the prime minister, and... with approval of PM, we intend to send a high-level delegation to Washington to get our views across and to ensure that we want to be a partner, which is a long-term strategic partner,” Aurangzeb stated. 

To navigate the emerging trade dynamics, the government had established two committees: a steering group led by the finance minister and a working group headed by the secretary of commerce.