Summary：**Pakistan and US Trade Talks Yield Major Breakthrough, Sparking Hope for Growth** *Summary: Read m

**Pakistan and US Trade Talks Yield Major Breakthrough, Sparking Hope for Growth**
*Summary: Read more on Google News*

**Introduction**
Senior officials from Pakistan and the United States concluded a three‑day round of negotiations in Washington, D.C., announcing a set of measures that could reshape bilateral commerce. The talks, which focused on tariff reductions, market access for textiles and agriculture, and cooperation on digital services, ended with a joint statement describing the outcome as a “major breakthrough.” Analysts say the agreement could unlock billions of dollars in trade over the next five years.

**Key Developments**
The two sides agreed to phase out a 5 % retaliatory duty on Pakistani cotton imports, a move that U.S. textile manufacturers have long lobbied for. In return, Pakistan will lower customs duties on U.S. soybeans and corn by 3 % over the next two years, aiming to boost its animal feed sector. A pilot program for streamlined customs clearance at Karachi’s Port Qasim and the U.S. ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach was also launched, promising to cut average clearance time from 72 hours to under 24 hours. Additionally, both governments pledged to expand cooperation on fintech and e‑commerce, with a joint task force to draft standards for cross‑border digital payments by the end of 202