Pakistan proposed a bilateral trade agreement with zero-duty with the United States with the aim of expanding trade relations in several sectors as the government greeted President Donald Trump’s statement to improve trade with Pakistan, the sources said on Thursday.

The sources told The Express Pakinomist that the Pakistani government had proposed a bilateral agreement based on mutual interests offering zero tariffs on selected customs lines. They added that Pakistan would expand bilateral trade in the United States in several sectors.

Separately, Minister of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan welcomed a recent statement of President Trump regarding improving trade in Pakistan and said it not only marked a new chapter in Pak-ERA tapes, but also showed the strength of Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic position.

In an exclusive chat with Express Pakinomist, the minister said that despite the Pak-India voltage, the US desire to increase trade relations with Pakistan was a reflection of the fact that the international community looked at Pakistan as an economic partner.

“This is a positive signal for us that the United States is looking at Pakistan as an important trading partner,” the minister told Express Pakinomist. “After the Pakistan-India voltage, Pakistan’s attitude has been strengthened. Now the USA Pakistan and India are taking the same level.”

On Saturday, under the top of the military’s operation Bunyanum Marsoos – Pakistan’s appropriate reaction to Indian aggression on May 7 – the US president announced that both Pakistan and India had accepted a ceasefire.

Trump, currently on the Middle East tour, said Thursday that the hostilities between Pakistan and India were settled after calling on the two countries to focus on trade instead of war. Previously, he said he would increase trade in both nations.

Last month, Trump had announced an increase in US tariffs on dozens of countries, including Pakistan. Jam Kamal said Washington is currently considering customs duties as an obstacle to Pakistan trade, which was a positive sign.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already set up a high -level committee on the customs issue, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. “This committee is working on different opportunities in the last one and a half months to develop a strategy to improve trade relations with the United States.”

The Minister said the committee is currently analyzing the factors, on the basis of which handelsed commitment to the United States could be expanded. “Pakistan will take full advantage of this option and the relevant institutions are fully prepared in this regard,” he added.

(With Input from Usama Iqbal)