Are Trump and IK becoming the best friends? The answer is yes. Trump means business and Imran Khan IK wants peace. Trump wants to stop US spending over Afghan war, but don’t want to loose control over Afghanistan. While Khan wants to restore peace and ceasefire.
Equally Khan wants US to negotiate Indo-Pak peace. With no increase in defence budget for the current year, the message is loud & clear- Pakistan is looking for both Eastern and western border peaceful
1. Moreover, Trump has hinted to assist Pakistan on trade front and likely MFN or GSP Plus status on cards. As per Trump, Pakistan deserves 10X more trade with US
2. Trump has also signal, restoration of $1.3bn aid package. And asked for resources Pakistan needed to help US to take exit from Afghanistan, earlier than expected
3. Trump has acknowledged Pakistan uniqueness when it comes to Afghanistan peace process
4. He termed the relationship of both countries are better than year ago
5. Trump mentioned, he will definitely visit Pakistan, whenever, he get Invitation from Pakistan
Trump and IK meeting means a lot for Pakistan on following front
a) Help Pakistan to save itself from getting black listed by FATF
b) Investments will return to Pakistan. Historically, US has always been the top investor in PSX
C) Recommend IMF to relax or waive tough conditions in case needed
Market will appreciate Trump and IK meeting outcome
Earlier today, the White House released the statement said;
- The United States and Pakistan set a new record for bilateral trade in 2018 of $6.6 billion.
- United States exports to Pakistan reached a record high of $2.8 billion in 2018, supporting approximately 10,000 American jobs.
- The United States is the largest export market for Pakistan’s goods.
- Our trade relationship with Pakistan has been especially beneficial for American farmers.
- The United States exported $1.4 billion in agricultural products to Pakistan in 2018.
- Over the past 15 years, the United States has been one of the top five investors in Pakistan.
- American energy producers are seeing more and more business opportunities with Pakistan.
- American companies are incorporating cutting-edge technologies into energy projects throughout Pakistan.
- American companies have competed to win more than $3 billion in energy-related business in Pakistan.
- Pakistan has purchased extensive amounts of American liquefied natural gas (LNG), including 22.8 billion cubic feet of LNG from March 2017 to April 2019.
- ExxonMobil reestablished its presence in Pakistan in 2018 after 27 years and is working to increase LNG imports.