America wants to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan - Top American Senator Lindsay Graham

[Path-Finder]

yuup this senator is usually in indias pocket so suprised at the change of heart.

I think Trumps told all his cloest aids, that the only chance of him winning the next US elections is a total pull out of americans troops from Afg before the 2020 US elections.


theres a nother school of thought that says Pak should always deny any mentorship or influence they have over Taliban.

its in our best interest for the world to think we have no relations with the Talibs.

Things have genuinely changed and even haqqani network is part of the delegation who want to talk. so many restrictions and people being released in an indicator. Pakistan's position is of a mediator. That is what Pakistan will be a mediator between two sides. No one can be a better mediator than Pakistan I mean the indians failed to replace Pakistan in afghanistan despite all their sweet talking.

 

[maximuswarrior]

Exactly like I predicted a few days ago.

2019 is going to be the year where relations are going to improve drastically between Pakistan and the US.

 

[313ghazi]

We must be careful. This is a smart move by the Americans, if they go for it.

The temptation of an FTA with the biggest economy in the world is HUGE. However there is no guarantee that they won't take that option away in a few years time - like they did with Iran and their nuclear deal.

Meanwhile the price of such an agreement will be high, potentially asking us to compromise our regional interests in Afghanistan. We might do that today, and then be screwed tomorrow when they change the goal posts.

A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

Also everyone is hyped about FTA's and deals with anyone and their uncle... but we don't actually manufacture that much stuff. For businessmen surely the first target has to be the 200 million Pakistani's.

 

[maximuswarrior]

We must be careful. This is a smart move by the Americans, if they go for it.

The temptation of an FTA with the biggest economy in the world is HUGE. However there is no guarantee that they won't take that option away in a few years time - like they did with Iran and their nuclear deal.

Meanwhile the price of such an agreement will be high, potentially asking us to compromise our regional interests in Afghanistan. We might do that today, and then be screwed tomorrow when they change the goal posts.

A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

This FTA shouldn't come at the cost of any appeasement or toxic deal.

1. Pakistan won't become part of China containment.
2. Pakistan won't accept India policeman role in the region.

We seek a relationship based on mutual trust and equality. Pakistan will always fulfil the role of a mediator in any conflict. Pakistan should continue to support efforts to bring peace between Taliban and the rest.

I fully support an FTA deal between Pakistan and the US. This can help bridge a lot of mistrust and misgivings.

It is unbelievable, but Trump is the only person who can truly deliver normalcy in Pak US relations. The Obama's and Clinton's could not deliver anything.

 

[LeGenD]

I have an idea, why not bring Taliban and Trump on one table for face to face talks in Islamabad.

These zalmay zaleelzad type of bureaucrats and so called think-tanks are the reason why things are f#cked up. I can see Trump likes to talk to people face to face instead of using minions. which is better because it can avoid mofo's like zaleelzad. Invite him and bring the Taliban to the table let them talk directly. If he can talk to Kim Jong Un then why not Taliban delegation?

Interesting proposition. However, this cannot be just another meeting in a series of meetings, but a breakthrough meeting in which something substantial materialize.

Donald Trump and Imran Khan should meet first, IMO.

 

[Path-Finder]

Interesting proposition. However, this cannot be just another meeting in a series of meetings, but a breakthrough meeting in which something substantial materialize.

Donald Trump and Imran Khan should meet first, IMO.

Yes PM and President should meet first. for the sake of peace and bringing an end to the mayhem its the best proposition. Bureaucracy is a failure globally and so called think-tanks. I am confident we will move closer to peace.

 

[Sully3]

We must be careful. This is a smart move by the Americans, if they go for it.

The temptation of an FTA with the biggest economy in the world is HUGE. However there is no guarantee that they won't take that option away in a few years time - like they did with Iran and their nuclear deal.

Meanwhile the price of such an agreement will be high, potentially asking us to compromise our regional interests in Afghanistan. We might do that today, and then be screwed tomorrow when they change the goal posts.

A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

Also everyone is hyped about FTA's and deals with anyone and their uncle... but we don't actually manufacture that much stuff. For businessmen surely the first target has to be the 200 million Pakistani's.

This is a very good point.

we must make sure that the FTA deal is signed for the next 10 to 20 years. because as you said they might offer us a deal now when the withdrawl is happening but as soon as all of them are gone US could pull the deal and we would be in a worse off poisition.

 

[LeGenD]

This FTA shouldn't come at the cost of any appeasement or toxic deal.

1. Pakistan won't become part of China containment.
2. Pakistan won't accept India policeman role in the region.

We seek a relationship based on mutual trust and equality. Pakistan will always fulfil the role of a mediator in any conflict. Pakistan should continue to support efforts to bring peace between Taliban and the rest.

I fully support an FTA deal between Pakistan and the US. This can help bridge a lot of mistrust and misgivings.

It is unbelievable, but Trump is the only person who can truly deliver normalcy in Pak US relations. The Obama's and Clinton's could not deliver anything.

Pakistan can be absolutely NEUTRAL for global conflicts, and maintain solid relations with all major players.

Say no to bullshit Cold Wars. Just do your own thing, and try to be a good mediator whereever applicable.

FTA will be a big boost for Pakistan in so many areas. I hope this materialize. People need jobs, my friend.

This is a very good point.

we must make sure that the FTA deal is signed for the next 10 to 20 years. because as you said they might offer us a deal now when the withdrawl is happening but as soon as all of them are gone US could pull the deal and we would be in a worse off poisition.

US is a sincere partner to many countries, and same can be the case with Pakistan.

Corruption is the root cause of many problems, and a corruption-free Pakistan would be a country of entirely different character - a desirable trait. PTI-led government have a solid shot.

Once FTA is in motion, they will not back out. Pakistan is a country of 200+ million people, and there is lot of room for growth here.

For now, all eyes set on oil extraction prowess of ExxonMobil. This development can change the course of Pakistani economy. About time.

 

[YeBeWarned]

Not gonna happen ..

 

[bafxet]

Shivers being felt in the corridors of New Delhi.

FTA just for bringing Taliban to the table. Indians collectively loosing their minds at this
And that too on a day Trump dragged Modi through the mud for suggesting an indian built library was indians pulling its weight in Afg.

Business with US will skyrocket. It would replace what Pakistan has long been asking I.e. Trade not Aid. I wish it happens.

 

[airmarshal]

Americans cant be trusted. They might give FTA and then pull it back after their goal is met. Pakistan should look after its interest and not go for carrots that actually could be sticks.

 

[MultaniGuy]

WASHINGTON: After returning from Afghanistan, where he had a first-hand experience of ground realities, a top American senator has sought a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan as an incentive for pushing the Taliban into peace talks.

“See if we can go to Pakistan and put a free trade agreement on the table to get the Pakistanis to push the Taliban to the peace table, and you can end the Afghan war,” Senator Lindsay Graham told the CNN in an interview.

Graham added: “Right now, after having been back from Afghanistan, I can tell you that ISIS is on the rise in Afghanistan.”

“But if Pakistan would help us, we could get Taliban to the table and end the war in Afghanistan. Our presence then would be focused on counterterrorism and ISIS,” Graham concluded.

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/01/03/graham-suggests-fta-pakistan-incentive

Haha what nonsense.

Pakistan must never accept this.

Pakistan should do FTA with China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore.

That is much more better than doing FTA with USA.

We should put our trade with USA on a minimum.

Secondly the quagmire in Afghanistan is not Pakistan's problem.

Let the Afghan Taliban and USA sort it out in Afghanistan.

 

[Trango Towers]

WASHINGTON: After returning from Afghanistan, where he had a first-hand experience of ground realities, a top American senator has sought a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan as an incentive for pushing the Taliban into peace talks.

“See if we can go to Pakistan and put a free trade agreement on the table to get the Pakistanis to push the Taliban to the peace table, and you can end the Afghan war,” Senator Lindsay Graham told the CNN in an interview.

Graham added: “Right now, after having been back from Afghanistan, I can tell you that ISIS is on the rise in Afghanistan.”

“But if Pakistan would help us, we could get Taliban to the table and end the war in Afghanistan. Our presence then would be focused on counterterrorism and ISIS,” Graham concluded.

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/01/03/graham-suggests-fta-pakistan-incentive

America has realised that the harder they push the deeper we dig our trenches. China CPEC is a God send and togather with weapons sales to Pakistan the US has realised islamabad is turning its back on america due to its policies.
The chickens have come home to roost

 

[denel]

WASHINGTON: After returning from Afghanistan, where he had a first-hand experience of ground realities, a top American senator has sought a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan as an incentive for pushing the Taliban into peace talks.

“See if we can go to Pakistan and put a free trade agreement on the table to get the Pakistanis to push the Taliban to the peace table, and you can end the Afghan war,” Senator Lindsay Graham told the CNN in an interview.

Graham added: “Right now, after having been back from Afghanistan, I can tell you that ISIS is on the rise in Afghanistan.”

“But if Pakistan would help us, we could get Taliban to the table and end the war in Afghanistan. Our presence then would be focused on counterterrorism and ISIS,” Graham concluded.

https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2019/01/03/graham-suggests-fta-pakistan-incentive

DONT DO IT. We are seeing the consequences of issues with chicken; yes chicken, they are dumping on our territory and driving local production into the ground the same happened with chinese when they dumped textiles and garments.

 

[VCheng]

DONT DO IT. We are seeing the consequences of issues with chicken; yes chicken, they are dumping on our territory and driving local production into the ground the same happened with chinese when they dumped textiles and garments.

Please keep in mind that USA buys far more than it sells to Pakistan; it is China that dumps a lot while buying little.