Hours after slapping 25% tariffs with additional penalties on Indian imports, US President Donald Trump announced a new oil partnership with Pakistan, drawing sharp attention in the midst of rising Indo-US trade tensions.
Taking to Truth Social, Trump declared, “We have just concluded a deal with Pakistan, whereby the United States and Pakistan will work together on developing their massive oil reserves. We are in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling oil to India someday!”
While Trump’s post lacked technical details, the announcement came soon after his controversial tariff move against India, which he justified by citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and a widening trade deficit.
The US-Pakistan deal marks a significant shift in regional energy dynamics, especially given Pakistan’s proximity to India and its history of strained relations with New Delhi. Trump’s remarks appear to be a mix of trade strategy and political messaging, with many countries, he noted, currently negotiating tariff reductions with the US to avoid similar penalties.
He added that he was actively engaged in discussions with leaders from various nations, including South Korea, and that a full trade policy report would be released “at the appropriate time.”
The Pakistani embassy in Washington has not commented on the announcement yet.
The move has sparked a range of reactions in India, especially amid ongoing trade friction and growing geopolitical complexities. Observers note the oil deal could be used by Trump to exert leverage over India, even as he positions himself for a tough-on-trade re-election campaign.
