Trump Keeps Pakistani Officials Waiting Amidst TikTok and Bilateral Discussions

Before a scheduled meeting in the Oval Office with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Field Marshal, President Donald Trump addressed the press. He noted the lateness of the meeting, even suggesting the Pakistani delegation might already be present in the room. He praised both the Prime Minister and the Field Marshal, highlighting their significance. The meeting followed an informal exchange between Trump and Sharif after a gathering of leaders from eight Islamic-Arab nations, including Pakistan. US-Pakistan relations saw an improvement when Pakistan credited Trump for his role in a perceived peace intervention during the May military conflict with India. Trump claimed to have brokered a ceasefire, a claim that India disputed. Pakistan’s military initially cited its own efforts for the ceasefire but later acknowledged Washington’s involvement, even suggesting Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. This positive trajectory continued with Trump welcoming Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to the White House. Discussions covered trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency. Shortly after, the Trump administration revealed a new trade agreement with Pakistan and plans to help exploit its oil reserves. In August, Munir’s visit to Washington led to a USD 500 million US investment to support Pakistan’s critical minerals sector. During this time, Trump also approved an executive order regarding TikTok, indicating a move towards American ownership. Trump shared that he had a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who supported the TikTok deal, underlining the involvement of American investors and companies. Trump had previously announced that Xi Jinping had approved the TikTok deal for the platform to continue operations in the US, stressing the US would have “tight control” over the app.