On September 26, US President Donald Trump met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. This pivotal meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, occurring amid the backdrop of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
This encounter marks the first formal one-on-one meeting between Trump and Sharif. It comes six years after the historic meeting between Trump and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in July 2019.
Seated in the Oval Office, Trump described the Pakistani leaders as “great leaders” to reporters after signing several executive orders. He expressed enthusiasm over Sharif’s visit, highlighting the significance of the dialogue. “In fact, we have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan coming, and the field marshal,” Trump remarked, emphasizing his respect for both leaders.
The meeting occurred in a “pleasant atmosphere” with other high-ranking officials present, including Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although closed to the press, it persisted for approximately one hour and twenty minutes, beginning slightly later than scheduled.
Post-meeting photographs captured a cordial exchange between Trump, Sharif, and Munir. Trump beamed while displaying his signature thumbs-up during a group photo, reflecting a potentially rekindled rapport between the two nations.
Earlier in the week, Sharif had a brief encounter with Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA where they discussed critical issues in a multilateral meeting alongside leaders from Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
In the post-meeting discourse, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office indicated the discussion encompassed “matters of mutual interest” and the evolving regional landscape. Sharif’s arrival at the White House around 4:52 PM prompted warm greetings from senior administration officials, with his motorcade departing around 6:18 PM.
Reflecting on his broader diplomatic efforts, Trump reiterated his claim of having “stopped seven wars,” focusing on his recent mediation efforts between India and Pakistan. The US’s diplomatic intervention led to a ceasefire between the two nuclear neighbors, praised by Pakistan, which has nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of these initiatives.
However, this claim has received scrutiny. India maintains that any agreement on a cessation of hostilities arose directly from conversations between military officials of both nations. The differentiation in narratives underscores the complexities surrounding US-Pakistan relations.
The last Pakistani leader to make such an official visit to the White House was Imran Khan in 2019, with the previous instance being Nawaz Sharif in 2015. Historically, Pakistan and the US have shared a lengthy alliance dating back to the Cold War, particularly in combating Soviet influence in Afghanistan.
However, relations took a downturn after the US accused Pakistan of harboring militants, particularly following the secret operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.
In a significant update on trade relations, the US and Pakistan reached an agreement that imposes a 19% tariff on Pakistani imports while also enhancing cooperation in developing oil reserves in Pakistan. In 2024, US goods and services trade with Pakistan reached approximately USD 10.1 billion, reflecting a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Specific figures indicate that US goods exports to Pakistan accounted for USD 2.1 billion, up 3.3%, while imports from Pakistan totaled USD 5.1 billion, marking a 4.8% rise.
Despite the complexities in the US-Pakistan narrative, Trump’s meeting with Sharif represents a reconnection path. As both leaders look to navigate regional dynamics, this dialogue may pave the way for improved relations and enhanced collaboration in the coming months.
