Return of Donald Trump as the POTUS is Bad News for Pakistan

The potential Return of Donald Trump as the POTUS spells uncertainty for Pakistan, signaling a stark shift in American foreign policy and strategic priorities in South Asia. Once indispensable due to its geographic position and nuclear capability, Pakistan finds itself increasingly sidelined.

As the U.S. aims to undercut China’s expanding influence and seeks to solidify its alliance with India, Pakistan risks being marginalized on the global stage.

With American strategy likely to evolve unpredictably and the stakes rising for Pakistan’s economic and geopolitical stability, the challenges on the horizon are significant.

Return of Donald Trump as the POTUS (President of the United States)

One of the central drivers of Trump’s foreign policy is the intent to counterbalance China across multiple fronts. Under his previous administration, Trump adopted a firm stance against China’s rise, initiating a trade war and openly criticizing China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

For Pakistan, a key player in China’s BRI through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), this presents a precarious situation. Pakistan’s strategic location was previously viewed as an asset by the U.S., especially in the context of its proximity to Afghanistan. However, with America’s priorities shifting towards containing China, Pakistan’s importance as a strategic ally is waning.

In this recalibrated scenario, India emerges as a more valuable partner for the U.S. With a growing economy and a long-standing rivalry with China, India is viewed as a natural counterweight.

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Strengthening India’s regional dominance requires addressing the longstanding Indo-Pak conflict. For India to focus more fully on countering China, a stable Western front with Pakistan is essential.

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Trump’s approach to Pakistan might involve pressuring it to reduce hostilities, effectively freeing India’s strategic capacity to confront China. Thus, in Trump’s geopolitical calculus, India is viewed as a vital asset, while Pakistan risks becoming a secondary concern.

Economic Challenges: Diminishing Financial Lifelines

Economically, Pakistan faces potential setbacks with Trump’s return, especially regarding access to financial aid and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistan’s economy is already under significant stress, heavily dependent on external aid and loans to meet its financial obligations.

The IMF, under substantial American influence, has provided Pakistan with critical bailout packages in the past. However, Trump’s administration was characterized by a more stringent stance towards foreign aid, preferring to impose conditions to enforce economic reforms and promote transparency.

If Trump were to resume control over U.S. foreign policy, Pakistan may find it challenging to secure IMF support without stringent conditions and painful structural reforms. The likelihood of the U.S. pressuring the IMF to restrict unconditional aid to Pakistan could lead to a fiscal crisis, exacerbating Pakistan’s economic vulnerability.

Such a scenario could increase Pakistan’s dependence on China, further complicating its foreign policy as the country attempts to navigate the increasingly polarized international arena.

Moreover, Trump’s stance on foreign aid to Pakistan has historically been one of skepticism, particularly due to concerns over accountability and transparency in the use of funds. The former president repeatedly criticized Pakistan’s alleged failure to curb extremist networks, despite receiving substantial aid from the U.S.

A resurgence of this narrative under a Trump administration could mean reduced financial support from both the U.S. and the IMF, pressuring Pakistan into a difficult economic corner.

Geopolitical Instability and Security Concerns in Balochistan

The strategic province of Balochistan stands as another critical focal point in the potential Trump-Pakistan dynamic. Balochistan, a region rich in resources and strategically located along the Arabian Sea, hosts numerous Chinese infrastructure projects under the CPEC.

These projects are central to China’s broader BRI, which Trump has openly criticized and sought to undermine. Trump’s potential return could mean increased American efforts to destabilize Balochistan, indirectly disrupting Chinese investments and supply lines.

Trump’s strategy to curb China’s influence may involve supporting movements that weaken China’s allies, including Pakistan. The longstanding unrest in Balochistan could therefore be a point of leverage for Trump’s administration to create pressure on Pakistan while simultaneously undermining the progress of CPEC projects.

Increased instability in Balochistan threatens Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic stability, particularly as the region has witnessed intensified calls for autonomy. This could create a security conundrum for Pakistan, as it tries to balance regional stability with the growing demands of local insurgent groups that could receive indirect support from anti-China factions.

While Trump may deprioritize Pakistan diplomatically, intelligence agencies like the CIA will continue to monitor Pakistan closely. The proximity of Pakistan to Afghanistan makes it a critical region in terms of U.S. national security.

Despite Trump’s tendency to deprioritize certain diplomatic channels, the CIA recognizes Pakistan as a key player in containing extremist networks that could pose a direct threat to American interests. This intricate balance—diplomatic disengagement coupled with intelligence surveillance—underscores the complexity of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship under Trump.

The Nuclear Dilemma: Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal as a Strategic Asset

In the face of growing U.S.-India cooperation and pressures from the U.S. administration, Pakistan’s nuclear capability remains one of its few bargaining assets. This nuclear leverage adds a layer of complexity to the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.

As Trump seeks to empower India against China, the U.S. cannot afford to completely sideline a nuclear-armed Pakistan, especially considering the risks associated with regional nuclear proliferation. Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, thus, serves as a reminder of its strategic importance, ensuring that the U.S. must exercise caution in managing its relations with Islamabad.

However, the nuclear leverage comes with its own set of challenges. Increased American pressure, coupled with a potentially diminished economic lifeline, could push Pakistan to rely further on its nuclear deterrent as a bargaining chip.

This reliance may lead to strained diplomatic relations and an escalating arms race in South Asia, as both Pakistan and India feel the need to modernize their arsenals amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Trump’s policies, aimed at countering China through regional allies, might indirectly trigger a renewed focus on nuclear posturing in South Asia, adding to the region’s instability.

The potential return of Donald Trump to the White House poses a multitude of challenges for Pakistan. With a foreign policy strategy rooted in counterbalancing China and empowering India, Trump’s approach risks pushing Pakistan into a corner, economically and diplomatically.

As Pakistan grapples with diminishing financial support, potential unrest in Balochistan, and increased pressure to align with the shifting tides of U.S.-China rivalry, the stakes have never been higher. For Pakistan, the future under a Trump administration could mean navigating an intricate balancing act between sustaining its alliances and preserving its sovereignty.