Pakistan, Biden administration start trade dialogue

Aftab Ahmed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States (US) have started trade dialogue with the Biden administration.

This is the first dialogue since the inauguration of the Biden administration.

The two sides have talked about the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TEFA) along with means and ways to move this process forward.

They have also discussed US travel advisory, intellectual property rights, and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries to control epidemics.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Trade and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood held a meeting with Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative (USTR) on May 6, 2021. This is the formal dialogue following the inauguration of the Biden administration between two countries to discuss bilateral trade.

The Adviser to the prime minister congratulated the USTR on fulfilling her responsibility. US envoy thanked the Adviser and highlighted the importance of US-Pakistan relations on both economic and strategic sides. She also stressed the importance of good communication to establish good relations and remove existing barriers to trade.

The Adviser briefed him on the progress in regional contacts between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and the Central Asian Republic.

Two sides also reiterated a commitment to continue engagement in the future for a better understanding of bilateral trade and strategic issues.