The Pakistani high command will go to any lengths to gain an advantage over India. It doesn’t care what the world thinks of it or what the cost to the people of Pakistan will be. During Trump’s second term in the United States, Pakistan spent money lavishly to win him over.
Trump Reduced Tariffs on Pakistan
During Trump’s second term in the US, Pakistan spent lavishly to win him over. They even rolled out the red carpet for Trump’s family. They made expensive deals with the US, in return for which Trump reduced tariffs on Pakistan.
Trump had initially imposed a 29 percent tariff on Pakistan, but trapped by Pakistan’s maneuvering, he reduced the tariff to 19 percent, while accusing India of buying oil from Russia, raising the tariff to 50 percent.
Loaded Money on Lobbying
. According to a contract filed with the Department of Justice, Pakistan spent three times more money than India on lobbying to woo Trump in April and May of this year.
Pakistan credits Trump for the ceasefire in Operation Sindoor
Pakistan quickly hired lobbyists, including Trump’s former business partners and bodyguards. This benefited Pakistan in the form of improved relations, while India’s relations with the United States deteriorated.
The Ceasefire and the Nobel Prize
Pakistan’s maneuvering was also evident during Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan credited Trump for the ceasefire in Operation Sindoor and even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected both claims, arguing that the United States had nothing to do with the ceasefire.
Rare Earth Minerals Deal
Pakistan also took advantage of America’s displeasure with China over rare earth minerals. Seizing the opportunity, Pakistan signed a $500 million rare earth mineral deal with the United States and even sent a sample shipment. It also opened its doors to American agricultural products.
Before Pakistan, the US was pressuring India to open its agricultural sector. Meanwhile, China had banned the purchase of soybeans from the US. The US also appreciated Pakistan’s stance.
Trump himself had called Pakistan a deceitful country. Michael Kugerman, former director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, says that Pakistan benefited from aggressive lobbying efforts. Pakistan signed a $5 million deal with six Washington firms.
Asim Munir had a private lunch with Trump at the White House
As a result of lobbying, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir had a private lunch with President Trump at the White House. Trump called Munir his favorite field marshal. This was the same Trump who, during his first term, had even called Pakistan a country full of lies and deceit.
