US hints at greater economic engagement with Pakistan

[Devil Soul]

US hints at greater economic engagement with Pakistan
Anwar IqbalUpdated July 31, 2019
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Official document points out that Pakistan, US traded $6.6b worth of goods last year, setting a new record. — APP/File
WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan can further enhance bilateral trade if strategic ties between the two countries continue to improve, said a White House factsheet released on Tuesday.

The factsheet “Working toward Peace and Stability: Building Economic Prosperity” notes that the United States and Pakistan enjoy a strong economic partnership that benefits both countries.

The official document points out that Pakistan and the US traded $6.6 billion worth of goods last year, setting a new record of bilateral trade.

While the document recognises Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process, US officials recently also urged Islamabad to encourage transit trade between India and Afghanistan, noting that it would benefit all by enhancing trade between South and Central Asian regions.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
President Donald Trump also expressed his desire to increase trade with Pakistan when asked at his July 22 news briefing what his administration was willing to do to help boost the Pakistani economy.

“Yes, I see great trade with Pakistan. And I’m not talking about a little bit more. I’m talking about — we could go 10 and even 20 times what we’re doing right now,” he said.

“You know, Pakistan is a big country. It’s actually a very big country, and they have tremendous product. They make great product,” he added.

“I’ve bought from Pakistan over the years when I was in the private sector. They make incredible product. They’re brilliant people. They’re hard-working people.”

He said that he believed the US and Pakistan could “have a fantastic trade relationship. I don’t mean we’ll increase it by 20 per cent. I mean, I think we can quadruple it. I think it could go — I mean, literally, it sounds crazy — you could go 10 times more. You could go 20 times more.”

He said he believed in multiplying trade with Pakistan because he felt “what we do right now is not much, and we should do a lot.”

Trump’s statement and the White House factsheet endorse Islamabad’s claim that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s US visit was a success, although it also highlights the key issues that need to be resolved to further enhance this relationship.

The document notes that Pakistan also purchased extensive amounts of American liquefied natural gas during the same period, about 22.8 billion cubic feet.

ExxonMobil re-established its presence in Pakistan in 2018 after 27 years and is working to increase LNG imports.

It lays greater emphasis on economic relations than did recent statements by US officials, who focused more on Pakistan’s cooperation in restoring peace to Afghanistan.

American energy producers are seeing more and more business opportunities with Pakistan and American companies are incorporating cutting-edge technologies into energy projects throughout Pakistan, the document adds.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2019

 

[Baby Leone]

“Yes, I see great trade with Pakistan. And I’m not talking about a little bit more. I’m talking about — we could go 10 and even 20 times what we’re doing right now,” he said.

“You know, Pakistan is a big country. It’s actually a very big country, and they have tremendous product. They make great product,” he added.

“I’ve bought from Pakistan over the years when I was in the private sector. They make incredible product. They’re brilliant people. They’re hard-working people.”

He said that he believed the US and Pakistan could “have a fantastic trade relationship. I don’t mean we’ll increase it by 20 per cent. I mean, I think we can quadruple it. I think it could go — I mean, literally, it sounds crazy — you could go 10 times more. You could go 20 times more.”

He said he believed in multiplying trade with Pakistan because he felt “what we do right now is not much, and we should do a lot.”

i really starting to believe this man and IK more then their predecessors, first time a US president talking sense and economy and big trading relations with Pakistan, never done before.

 

[Baburfromsarmarkand]

What will they do? Will buick move its factory here? Like they did in China? It's all rubbish. They never need to talk about trade with nations they actually trade with. I. E South Korea, Japan.

 

[IbnAbdullah]

Salaam

“Yes, I see great trade with Pakistan. And I’m not talking about a little bit more. I’m talking about — we could go 10 and even 20 times what we’re doing right now,” he said.

“You know, Pakistan is a big country. It’s actually a very big country, and they have tremendous product. They make great product,” he added.

“I’ve bought from Pakistan over the years when I was in the private sector. They make incredible product. They’re brilliant people. They’re hard-working people.”

He said that he believed the US and Pakistan could “have a fantastic trade relationship. I don’t mean we’ll increase it by 20 per cent. I mean, I think we can quadruple it. I think it could go — I mean, literally, it sounds crazy — you could go 10 times more. You could go 20 times more.

This bit here - I know it's a good thing but for some reason it makes me more nervous than excited.


...

 

[haviZsultan]

A cosmetic gesture. They will continue working with RAW to destabilize us. I don't know why Imran Khan's visit is being construed as a diplomatic victory. It isn't. You wouldn't believe the stuff thats been happening in Pakistan with the CIA involved.

I do support Imran Khan as a better option than other political parties though and respect his expectations. Not everyone knows what exactly is going on in Pakistan right now or what the CIA is doing. Victims know better.

 

[AZ1]

Unless they increase the trade all is talk in thin air

 

[313ghazi]

If the increase in trade is possible it will be best for the long term interests of both nations. Pakistan needs to diversify the markets it has access too, currently there is too much talk of China and the middle east. If we can get increased access to the US it will benefit us as they're the world largest market.

Similarly if the US is serious about a long term relationship with Pakistan, then investment in Pakistan is the biggest and most sustainable CBM is can do.

 

[Meengla]

“I’ve bought from Pakistan over the years when I was in the private sector. They make incredible product.

I would be so tempted to ask him: What exactly did you buy from Pakistan? And what 'incredible products' you are talking about?!! He's just butter-sing up his 'business' acumen, which are quite questionable to begin with.

While I am very happy that Imran Khan visit went reasonably well, I just don't trust a word Trump says. He may actually mean it today but tomorrow he may really mean it in an opposite way. Even half of the words spoken by Trump were spoken by Obama or Hillary I would put more credence to them.

 

[VCheng]

I would be so tempted to ask him: What exactly did you buy from Pakistan? And what 'incredible products' you are talking about?!! He's just butter-sing up his 'business' acumen, which are quite questionable to begin with.

While I am very happy that Imran Khan visit went reasonably well, I just don't trust a word Trump says. He may actually mean it today but tomorrow he may really mean it in an opposite way. Even half of the words spoken by Trump were spoken by Obama or Hillary I would put more credence to them.

Oh please stop being so logically analytical. Let us all feel good in what he said for now and then wait for actual results later.

(He probably bought a leather jacket or some such "product" at some point, my guess. (Or drugs? ))

 

[Pakistansdefender]

A cosmetic gesture. They will continue working with RAW to destabilize us. I don't know why Imran Khan's visit is being construed as a diplomatic victory. It isn't. You wouldn't believe the stuff thats been happening in Pakistan with the CIA involved.

I do support Imran Khan as a better option than other political parties though and respect his expectations. Not everyone knows what exactly is going on in Pakistan right now or what the CIA is doing. Victims know better.

Come on don't make everything a conspiracy.
We have seen times where Zardari openly allow black water in Pakistan to hunt Osama and killed millions of others on the process . And your army cannot do anything about it Etc .
But this time we have promised nothing at all which is a success in itself .
Ap ko Afghanistan main Aman apna liya Chaiya. Ap yeah jang band ho jani chaiya because it is effecting and we are playing our part and in return we ask for trade and economic ties .
Trade is the key . You don't have to be enemies with us and neither with China . Try to come out of this 'taking sides' syndrome. Try to be neutral once and for all . I think they are too real in a sence that they are not promising aid or something, else they are promising trade and investment .
They are thinking that they can export their stuff to China where Americans products are loved and so to central Asia.
Razak dawood would go in September and so this process go one .
1 . We need peace in Afghanistan for our own self .
2. We need trade with us for our own self .