Just hours after imposing steep tariffs on Indian imports, US President Donald Trump announced a new oil partnership with Pakistan, describing it as a “massive” joint effort to develop Islamabad’s untapped oil reserves. The unexpected move has added a new layer of complexity to South Asia’s energy and geopolitical landscape.
“We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves,” Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. “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 some day!”
The announcement comes amid growing US-India trade friction. On the same day, Trump revealed a 25 percent tariff and additional penalties on Indian imports, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and trade imbalances with the US. Trump’s latest statements signal a shifting focus in Washington’s regional trade priorities.
There were no immediate comments from the Pakistani embassy in Washington, and Trump provided no details about the specific reserves to be explored or the timeline for the partnership.
The US President also claimed he had been actively engaging with global leaders on trade matters. “We are very busy in the White House today working on trade deals,” he wrote, mentioning a scheduled meeting with a South Korean trade delegation. He added that countries are making offers to reduce tariffs and help narrow America’s trade deficit.
This oil partnership with Pakistan marks a significant development in US regional engagement, especially at a time when Washington is tightening economic pressure on India. Analysts suggest the move could reshape energy alliances and further strain US-India ties, particularly as New Delhi continues to deepen its defence and energy cooperation with Russia.
