Donald Trump says Pakistani officials visiting US for trade talks, ‘very close to making deal with India’

May 31, 2025 09:12 AM IST

US President Trump warned against any agreements if military actions escalate between India and Pakistan amidst ongoing tensions.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) representatives from Pakistan are coming to the United States next week as it seeks to make a deal on tariffs. He added that the US is “very close to making a deal with India”.

Donald Trump says trade talks in jeopardy if India, Pakistan clash(AP)

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Donald Trump said he would not be willing to strike any trade deal with India or Pakistan if the two countries engage in military action.

Donald Trump said, “Pakistan representatives are coming in next week. We’re very close to making a deal with India. And I wouldn’t have any interest in making a deal with either if they were going to be at war with each other…”

The warning comes as tensions remain high between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in the wake of April 22 Pahalgam terror attack followed by India’s Operation Sindoor. Earlier this month, India and Pakistan exchanged missiles, artillery fire, drones, and launched fighter jets in their worst military clashes in decades.

Islamabad is trying to avoid steep US tariffs, news agency Reuters reported, Pakistan may face a 29% tariff on exports to the United States after Washington announced new duties last month targeting several countries. The tariff threat is due to Pakistan’s $3 billion trade surplus with the US.

Meanwhile, commenting on the ongoing trade talks with New Delhi, Trump said, “As you know, we’re very close to making a deal with India.”

Trade minister Piyush Goyal had recently visited the United States to push forward negotiations. Both countries hope to sign a limited trade deal by early July. India currently faces a 26% tariff on its exports to America.

In another significant development, Reuters reported last week that India may soon allow American companies to compete for over $50 billion in contracts, mostly from federal agencies, as part of the talks.

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