Trump’s Art of the Deal Scores Silent Global Win with Pakistan Bailout

On Friday, a subtle but seismic shift occurred in global diplomacy, orchestrated by President Trump’s signature Art of the Deal tactics. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $2.3 billion bailout for Pakistan, a deal that quietly wove together the threads of three critical geopolitical arenas: India-Pakistan tensions, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and U.S.-China rivalry.

This wasn’t just about money. The package—$1 billion from the Extended Fund Facility and $1.3 billion from the Resilience and Sustainability Facility—carried weight far beyond Pakistan’s borders. What made this vote remarkable was its unlikely passage. India, China, and Russia abstained, while the U.S. and U.K. pushed it through. The real story lies in why.

India’s Strategic Pivot
India’s abstention raised eyebrows. Known for opposing Pakistan’s funding due to terrorism concerns, its silence suggests a calculated trade-off. Trump’s focus on rewriting U.S. trade deals, particularly with India’s high tariffs, likely played a role. With Vice President JD Vance personally negotiating in New Delhi, India may have softened its stance to secure favorable trade terms, especially after a Kashmir attack stalled progress.

Pakistan’s Desperate Hour
Pakistan was teetering on collapse, with just four days of ammunition and a crumbling economy. The U.S., shifting away from NATO entanglements and Ukraine aid, still backed the bailout. Why? A likely condition was a ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict, easing regional tensions without fanfare.

China’s Curious Absence
China, Pakistan’s major creditor through Belt and Road projects, stood to gain from the bailout. Yet it abstained. The catch? Strict loan terms likely barred Pakistan from spending on Chinese or Russian weapons, funneling funds toward American systems instead. This neutralized China’s incentive to vote, showcasing Trump’s knack for bending global players to U.S. interests.

A Masterstroke in Silence
This single vote achieved three wins: de-escalating India-Pakistan hostilities, reducing U.S. involvement in Ukraine, and curbing Chinese influence in Pakistan’s military. No shots fired, no headlines blared. Trump’s diplomacy—quiet, precise, and effective—moved the global chessboard with the finesse of a grandmaster. Critics may underestimate him, but this was power in action.