Pakistan is the largest beneficiary worldwide of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade preference scheme.

Omissions

• The claim refers to the value of preferential trade: in 2024 total EU imports from Pakistan amounted to €8.3 billion, of which €7.1 billion entered under GSP+ preferences, and more than 85% of Pakistan's exports to the EU enter duty- and quota-free under GSP+.
• 'Largest beneficiary' is a ranking by trade value; it does not imply that Pakistan benefits most in per-capita terms or in tariff savings relative to GDP.
• The EU is Pakistan's largest trading partner in services, with total trade in services adding €2.5 billion in 2024 (with a surplus for the EU of €1 billion).

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — EU trade relations with PakistanPakistan is the largest beneficiary of the EU's GSP+ [scheme]. Thanks to GSP+, more than 85% of Pakistan's exports, including textiles and clothing, enter the EU duty and quota free. This represents almost 20% of Pakistan's total exports. Total trade in services added another €2.5 billion in 2024 (with a surplus for the EU of €1 billion).
• AcademicResearchGate — 'The GSP+ Status of Pakistan in the European Union: Challenges and Prospects'While Pakistan is currently the largest beneficiary of GSP+ scheme, several challenges, mainly related to the exports' diversification and competitiveness, remain.
• SecondaryGSP Hub (EU GSP+ monitoring platform) — Country info: PakistanTotal EU imports from Pakistan amounted to €8.3 billion in 2024, of which €7.1 billion were imported using the GSP+ preferences. This makes Pakistan the largest beneficiary among all GSP+ countries. Pakistan is the largest exporter to the EU under the GSP+ and the EU is Pakistan's largest trading partner.
• SecondaryDawn (Pakistan) — EU notes 'issues' in Pakistan's GSP+ complianceThe latest assessment comes at a time when Pakistan is the largest beneficiary of the EU's GSP+ arrangement, under which exporters enjoy preferential tariff treatment.