On September 26, 2023, US President Donald Trump met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in the Oval Office to strengthen bilateral relations and address significant security challenges. This historical meeting marks a renewed dialogue between the two nations after a gap of over four years.
During a press interaction post-meeting, Trump expressed optimism regarding diplomatic relations, labeling both leaders as “great.” He stated, “In fact, we have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan coming, and the field marshal of Pakistan. Field marshal is a very great guy and so is the prime minister, both. And they’re coming.”
This meeting was the first formal engagement between Trump and Sharif since the latter took office in April 2022. The last significant interaction occurred when former Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Trump in July 2019.
Sharif attended the meeting while participating in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where he is scheduled to speak on the UNGA podium on September 29. The discussions, reportedly aimed at fostering cooperation on both bilateral and regional issues, took place in a “pleasant atmosphere,” as described by the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The meeting commenced at 4:30 PM local time but started later due to Trump’s previous engagements. It extended for approximately 80 minutes and included key US officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Post-meeting images showcased the cordiality, with Trump’s trademark thumbs up confirming a productive exchange. On a related note, Sharif had met Trump earlier in New York when the US President hosted multilateral discussions involving leaders from various nations, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Before the meeting, Radio Pakistan noted the likelihood of discussions around mutual interests and regional stability, particularly concerning the ongoing tensions in South Asia. Sharif arrived at the White House at 4:52 PM and departed around 6:18 PM, as confirmed by the White House pool reporters.
After signing multiple executive orders earlier in the day, Trump reiterated his commitment to peace in the region, claiming he had prevented “seven wars.” This assertion, along with the recognition of his role in mediating tensions between India and Pakistan, finds roots in Pakistan’s nomination of Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump has frequently asserted that his administration facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, communication he has made around 50 times since May 2023. However, India reiterates that any agreements on halting hostilities resulted from direct conversations between military leaders.
The last Pakistani Prime Minister to visit the White House was Imran Khan, who held an official working visit in 2019. Before him, Nawaz Sharif visited the White House in 2015. Historically, relations between Pakistan and the US have fluctuated, shaped by their Cold War alliance against the USSR and subsequent disagreements over Pakistan’s ties with militant groups post-9/11.
Emerging from these discussions, the US and Pakistan also look forward to a new trade agreement that imposes a 19% tariff on Pakistani imports and sets the stage for US investment in developing Pakistan’s vast oil reserves.
Trade statistics reveal the US goods and services trade with Pakistan reached approximately $10.1 billion in 2024, marking a 6.3% increase from 2023. Specifically, US goods exports to Pakistan stood at $2.1 billion, reflecting a rise of 3.3%, while imports totaled $5.1 billion, an increase of 4.8%. This resulted in a goods trade deficit of $3 billion, rising 5.9% compared to the previous year, illustrating a complex economic interdependence between the nations.
This meeting between Trump, Sharif, and Munir represents a pivotal step in revitalizing diplomatic efforts and enhancing economic collaboration between the United States and Pakistan.
