On September 26, US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir to the White House, marking the first formal interaction between Trump and Sharif since they took office. The leaders met to enhance bilateral ties amid ongoing discussions at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Trump referred to the Pakistani leaders as “great” while addressing reporters following the signing of executive orders, indicating a positive atmosphere surrounding the meeting. “In fact, we have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan coming, and the field marshal (of) Pakistan. Field marshal is a very great guy and so is the prime minister, both,” Trump stated.
This meeting comes six years after former Prime Minister Imran Khan met Trump during his first term in July 2019. Shehbaz Sharif is in New York to participate in the 80th session of the UNGA, where he is scheduled to address the General Debate.
According to a statement released by the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting took place in the Oval Office and included the presence of Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Acknowledging the importance of this interaction, the PMO emphasized that the meeting occurred in a positive atmosphere.
The closed-door meeting, originally slated to start at 4:30 PM local time, began approximately 30 minutes late. It lasted for about one hour and 20 minutes, and photos released from the meeting showcased Trump, Sharif, and Munir engaging cordially.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sharif met Trump briefly during a multilateral meeting in New York, which included leaders from various nations, such as Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. Discussions revolved around matters of mutual interest, alongside the regional and global situations.
Sharif’s arrival at the White House was marked by a greeting from senior administration officials, and he left shortly after 6 PM, as documented by the White House pool.
After the executive orders were signed, Trump made headlines again, claiming that he had successfully stopped seven wars, a statement he reiterated during his address to world leaders at the UNGA. Additionally, Pakistan nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his diplomatic efforts during recent tensions between India and Pakistan.
Since announcing a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on social media in May 2023, Trump has consistently stated his involvement in resolving the conflict. His comments have met with skepticism, as India maintains that any ceasefire agreement arose from talks directly between military officials.
The historical relationship between Pakistan and the US has evolved significantly since their Cold War alliance against the USSR in Afghanistan. However, relations have strained over divergences in policies surrounding the Afghan Taliban and allegations regarding Pakistan’s ties to militant groups.
The last Pakistani prime minister to visit the White House was Imran Khan in July 2019, while Nawaz Sharif made a visit in 2015. Recent escalations in regional tensions and ongoing discussions about mutual interests seem to be paving the way for a renewed bilateral commitment.
Trade relations between the two countries also remain significant, with the US and Pakistan recently concluding a trade agreement that institutes a 19 percent tariff on Pakistani imports. The overall goods and services trade between the US and Pakistan reached approximately USD 10.1 billion in 2024, reflecting a 6.3 percent increase year-over-year.
In 2024, US goods exports to Pakistan totalled USD 2.1 billion, a 3.3 percent growth compared to 2023, while imports reached USD 5.1 billion, up 4.8 percent from the previous year. However, the goods trade deficit with Pakistan stood at USD 3 billion, indicating a continuing imbalance that both nations may seek to address moving forward.
The meeting at the White House reinforces the renewed diplomatic engagements between the US and Pakistan, as both nations grapple with evolving regional dynamics and seek collaboration on various fronts.