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US talks to Pakistan about tariffs, minerals and immigration

The State Department and Pakistani foreign ministry released separate statements confirming that U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio had spoken to Pakistani Foreign minister Ishaq dar on Monday. They discussed tariffs, trade relationships, immigration, and the prospects for engagement in relation to critical minerals.

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that he will impose a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the U.S., and even higher duties on other countries. This includes some of Washington's largest trading partners. The announcement rattled global markets, and confused U.S. ally. The Trump administration imposed 29% on Pakistan.

The State Department reported that "they (Rubio, and Dar) discussed U.S. bilateral tariffs against Pakistan and how to progress towards a fair and equal trade relationship."

The Secretary expressed his interest in increasing commercial opportunities for U.S. companies."

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that Rubio "recognised the desire to collaborate in trade and investments with Pakistan, particularly critical minerals".

The Trump administration also uses the prospect of engagement with other countries over critical minerals.

As an example, the US is trying to reach a deal with Ukraine over vital minerals as part of discussions related to Russia-Ukraine War. Washington said that it was open to exploring partnerships for critical minerals with Congo, and helping end the conflict in the east of this African country.

The State Department reported that Rubio stressed the importance of Pakistani cooperation with the U.S. in law enforcement, and the fight against illegal immigration.

Last month, Pakistan highlighted their cooperation with Washington in countering extremism following the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah. The U.S. has blamed him for an attack 2021 on its troops at Kabul Airport, during a military operation on the border with Afghanistan.

The Pakistani foreign ministry confirmed that Rubio and Dar had discussed the Afghan situation. Reporting by Kanishka Sing in Washington, edited by Alistair Bell

(source: Reuters)