Pakistan, April 10 -- The recent U.S. decision to impose a 29% tariff increase on Pakistani exports, citing concerns over "fairness" due to Pakistan's reported 58% duties on American goods, has sparked significant debate. While the move aims to address trade imbalances, it risks overlooking the nuanced realities of Pakistan's trade policies and sidestepping established WTO frameworks. This approach could strain Pakistan's export economy while inadvertently affecting American consumers and diplomatic relations.

At the heart of this issue are the communities dependent on Pakistan's textile and manufacturing sectors. Millions of workers, from factory employees to cotton farmers, face uncertainty as these tariffs could disrupt livelihoods cr...