Pakistan’s relations with US President Donald Trump may be put to the acid test after the Republican Party faces a major setback in the 2018 US Midterm Elections. US Democrats have swept the two chambers of the US Congress, posing new difficulties for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. In the last two years, Pakistan has made efforts to deepen its relations with Trump and his administration.
Why Is Pakistan Worried About Trump’s Election Setback?
Pakistan had pressed hard to deepen ties with the US leader in the hope that warmer relations would help them gain an advantage with the US diplomatically and economically. Shehbaz Sharif lauded Trump publicly and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, a US-mediated agreement India contests.
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Among the most significant risks for Islamabad are probes into business deals featuring Trump family members or associates. The country has agreed to a memorandum of understanding with a subsidiary of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company connected to the Trump family. The country has also considered a drone deal with US-based Powerus, which is backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
Will Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir Lose US Support?
Yet, the election results do not mark an end to Washington’s engagement with Islamabad. Trump will dominate the US administration, and will continue to be the primary person responsible for foreign policy. Nonetheless, it may not be very feasible for Pakistan to rely solely on its personal rapport with the President. A more Democratic In the Congress may escalate strain on the administration to account for its interactions with Islamabad.
What Can Pakistan Do Now?
Pakistan has to perhaps double down on its efforts with Washington and bolster ties with both Republicans and Democrats. Rather than overreliance on Trump and his inner circle, Islamabad must turn to trade, investment, security alliances, and long-term diplomatic partnerships. As of now, Pakistan’s rapprochement with Washington has yet to translate into all the economic benefits it was hoping for. To Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir, the Democratic win signals that political alignments that revolve around a single US President can be upended when the power dynamics shift.
