ISLAMABAD: The US State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for South and Central Asian Affairs, Eric Meyer, said on Tuesday that he was eyeing “critical” mineral deals with Pakistan during his visit to Islamabad to attend the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25).
The Trump administration senior official termed the forum an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. He said US President Donald Trump has highlighted the importance of minerals and mineral resources several times.
Referring to recent successful investment ventures between Pakistan and the United States, Eric Meyer said the resumption of soybean trade between the two countries is a welcoming sign.
“I commend Pakistan for convening the Minerals Investment Forum here in Islamabad and for taking steps to ensure a level playing field for investors,” he said at the forum.
“We recently celebrated the return of US soybean exports to Pakistan. Four vessels carrying more than 260,000 tons of soybeans have arrived over the last few weeks,” he said.
“It’s a win-win for US exporters and Pakistanis alike, and we look forward to more such wins in the future.”
The US’s goods trade with Pakistan was at an estimated $7.3 billion in 2024, according to the US Trade Representative, a federal agency responsible for developing and promoting foreign trade policies.
US goods exports to Pakistan in 2024 were $2.1 billion, up 4.4 percent ($90.9 million) from 2023, while US goods imports from Pakistan totalled $5.1 billion in 2024, up 4.9 percent ($238.7 million) from 2023.
“I commend Pakistan for convening the Minerals Investment Forum and for taking steps to ensure a level playing field for investors. Critical minerals are the raw materials for our most advanced technologies, and President Trump has underscored the importance of securing America’s… pic.twitter.com/ecQPV1rzoa
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) April 8, 2025
“What makes me most optimistic about the US-Pakistan partnership is that our cooperation is based on the close and enduring ties between our peoples,” Meyer said.
“Many of you have studied in the United States, participated in our exchange programs, have family, friends, and business partners in the US. I’m looking forward to working with each of you as we work together to lead the charge in deepening the partnership between the US and Pakistan.”
Pakistan is highlighting its mineral resources, valued at an estimated $6 trillion, at a two-day exhibition in Islamabad on April 8-9. The event aims to attract investment from the US, China, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union (EU).
