Can Pakistan Compete in a Weaponized Global Trade Order?

Can Pakistan Compete in a Weaponized Global Trade Order? Global trade, once built around tariffs and development support through institutions like the IMF and World Bank, is increasingly being used as a strategic tool. New trade alignments, including a major EU–India deal, signal how markets are diversifying, creating both risks and opportunities for countries like Pakistan that currently benefit from GSP status in the European Union. Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director at SDPI, explains that Europe’s shift toward trade diversification will intensify competition in the EU market. Pakistan’s textile exports, currently supported by GSP access until 2027, may face new tariff pressures if the status is not renewed. Competing successfully will require improvements in productivity, quality, and industrial capacity rather than reliance on preferential treatment alone. US India trade negotiations, where India is opening its market to American products in areas such as agriculture and energy while recalibrating strategic choices, further highlight how trade is being reshaped. With global institutions like the WTO weakened by recent US policy shifts, countries are no longer relying on a single market. Pakistan, while not yet a fair economy and still operating with a limited trade volume, need not be alarmed by the US India deal as export overlap is largely confined to textiles. The challenge lies in lowering costs, ensuring a predictable exchange rate. Click the link to watch his exclusive talk with Tahir Dhindsa, only on SDTV... #Pakistan #GlobalTrade #Geoeconomics #TradeWars #EconomicSecurity #WeaponizedTrade #InternationalRelations #SouthAsia #GlobalEconomy #SupplyChains #EmergingMarkets #TradePolicy #PowerPolitics