Shehbaz Sharif Meets Trump in Washington
Shehbaz Sharif Receives Red-Carpet Welcome at Andrews Ahead of White House Meeting with Trump
WASHINGTON D.C. — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived at Andrews Air Base on Thursday, where he was greeted with a red-carpet welcome by senior U.S. Air Force officials. He was accompanied by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office for discussions on bilateral relations and regional and global issues of mutual interest. Diplomatic sources say the meeting aims to strengthen Pakistan-U.S. cooperation in key areas.
Earlier, a Trump administration official told Reuters that the White House meeting comes weeks after the two countries finalized a trade deal. Relations between Pakistan and the United States have warmed in recent months, following years in which Washington largely viewed India as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region.
U.S.-India ties have faced challenges under President Trump, including disputes over visas, high tariffs on Indian goods, and Trump’s repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during their recent hostilities. In contrast, the U.S. and Pakistan announced a trade deal on July 31, which included a 19% tariff rate, while Trump has yet to finalize a trade deal with India. Analysts note that tensions with Washington have led New Delhi to recalibrate its relations with China.
Earlier this year, President Trump welcomed Field Marshal Asim Munir to the White House—the first time a Pakistani army chief was hosted without senior civilian officials—a move seen as a sign of warming ties.
“We’re working through several issues when it comes to counter-terrorism, as well as economic and trade ties,” a senior State Department official said Tuesday. “The president remains focused on advancing U.S. interests in the region, including through engagement with Pakistan and its government leaders.”
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