Pakistan Seeks Major US Mining Investment After Tariff Deal

Pakistan is poised to attract significant US investment in its mining and minerals sector, especially copper, following a recent trade agreement that revised tariffs in Pakistan's favor, exempting refined copper from a previously imposed 50% US tariff. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan's vast copper reserves and the country's plans to move from exporting raw ores to value-added refined products, which could help reduce the trade deficit and tap into growing US demand driven by clean energy and electric vehicle industries. The government is addressing infrastructural and regulatory challenges to attract private investment, including detailed geological mapping and improvements to mine access and power supply. Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir emphasized that ongoing memoranda of understanding with the US, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE are being implemented to foster economic cooperation and investment, with US-Pakistan relations improving under President Donald Trump’s administration. Munir's recent visits to the US and meetings with American leadership underscore a renewed commitment to strengthen military and economic ties, with the trade deal expected to bring substantial investment into Pakistan. These developments signal a strategic pivot for Pakistan’s economic growth through enhanced international partnerships and sectoral reforms.