An astonishing comeback made by Donald Trump has sent shockwaves around the world. Given his criminal conviction, his recklessness and unpredictability, two assassination attempts on him, and the Pentagon’s hostility towards him because of his rude behavior, his victory was a big surprise and remarkable indeed.
After the grilling and volatile campaign involving the heaviest funding and neck-to-neck contest, which was never seen before in American modern history, Trump’s return to power a second time is historic.
Despite casting aspersions on each other, unlike Trump, who had not conceded defeat in the November 2016 election, Kamala Harris accepted her defeat gracefully and congratulated him.
Soon after his triumph, President-elect Donald Trump received a series of congratulatory phone calls from several top world leaders. They discussed many global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he was among the first world leaders to call Trump, adding that the two had a “warm and cordial” discussion and “agreed to work together for Israel’s security, and also discussed the Iranian threat.”
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said he had a “very good 25-minute conversation” with Trump. Macron “stressed the importance of Europe’s role” and told the president-elect he was willing to work together on issues including “Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—who has had a tense relationship with Trump in the past—tweeted that he had an “excellent call” with the president-elect, where both agreed to “maintain close dialogue” and “advance our cooperation.”
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Trump by reciting the President’s “Make America Great Again” slogan before discussing North Korea’s new intercontinental ballistic missiles and calling for establishing a “perfect South Korea-US security posture.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s call with Trump focused on trade “including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement”—which was negotiated in the president-elect’s first term—and “their shared interest in secure and reliable supply chains and addressing unfair trading practices in the global economy.” Relations between Trump and Trudeau, however, are expected to remain uneasy, given Trump’s stance on trade and his approach to national security.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters his call with Trump was “friendly,” and he is reportedly planning to meet the president-elect in person later this month during a “stopover” in the U.S. after attending the G20 summit in Brazil.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said his call with Trump discussed the U.K.’s “special relationship” with the U.S. and also addressed the “situation in the Middle East and underscored the importance of regional stability.”
Trump also received congratulatory calls and messages from other leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Pakistan’s PM Shahbaz Sharif.
Putin, who has maintained a friendly stance toward Trump, would likely be expecting him to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been dragging on since February 2022. This prospect must have cheered the people of Ukraine, who are going through horrendous suffering. Zelenskyy, however, must be hoping for the return of lost regions and the reconstruction of his country.
Netanyahu would expect Trump to either help him bring the Gaza conflict to a resolution that aligns with his ambitions or allow Israel to pursue its objectives in Gaza unimpeded. Meanwhile, the Palestinian people and the Muslim world are hopeful that Trump will halt the ongoing violence in Gaza and encourage efforts towards establishing a Palestinian state.
Trump is likely to strike hard against illegal immigration along the southern border, clamp down on crime, freeze or terminate the Ukrainian war, and focus on revitalizing the U.S. economy by cutting taxes. He has indicated a desire to implement 100% tariffs on imported cars and heavy duties on Chinese imports, potentially sparking renewed economic tensions with China. This strategy aligns with his goal to weaken the Chinese economy and could further intensify the economic cold war between the two powers. Trump may even attempt to bring Russia into a closer alignment with the U.S. to counterbalance China’s rising influence, a diplomatic move that would mark a significant shift in global alliances.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Turkiye are likely to find Trump a preferable U.S. President due to his generally supportive stance on their interests. Trump’s relations with NATO could also remain tense, as he is expected to push member countries to meet their defense spending commitments of 2% of GDP, a topic that has caused friction in the past.
China, on the other hand, is likely to be discontented with Trump’s return, as his presidency could bring a resurgence in the trade war, tariffs on Chinese goods, and an increased U.S. military presence in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. North Korea, too, may face further diplomatic strain, with Trump unlikely to soften his stance on the Korean Peninsula’s denuclearization.
Narendra Modi would be among the happiest world leaders with Trump’s victory, especially given his strong rapport with Trump during his first term and the current strain in Indo-U.S. relations due to Sikh separatist issues. Modi would likely anticipate a renewed partnership with the U.S., aligning with India’s strategic interests.
In Pakistan, relations with the U.S. are expected to continue along the same trajectory of fluctuating priorities. Pakistan, as a tactical partner, will likely remain lower in U.S. priorities than India. However, Pakistan’s government, led by Shahbaz Sharif, may hope for a straightforward, consistent approach from Washington to help stabilize its economy and manage domestic challenges.
The Pakistani political landscape is further complicated by PTI’s hopeful anticipation that Trump’s presidency might result in leniency toward their leader, Imran Khan, who remains a central figure for the party.
Trump’s foreign policy challenges include addressing complex alliances, pressuring NATO members, reducing illegal immigration, and managing strained relationships with key players. Domestically, to fulfill his “Make America Great Again” promise, he will need to focus on reviving the economy, addressing illegal immigration, and prioritizing internal stability.
The era of American unipolar dominance is changing, with China and Russia challenging the U.S.-led world order. Pakistan has successfully managed recent economic hardships, and ongoing CPEC Phase 2 and SIFC development programs, under military supervision, are set to transform its economic landscape. Pakistan has also maintained resilience against external pressures, demonstrating its growing autonomy on the world stage. General Asim Munir’s leadership, in particular, symbolizes a more assertive stance against foreign interference, potentially guiding Pakistan toward greater self-reliance and stability.
Accordingly, Pakistan’s path to progress and prosperity will require national unity. The country stands at a crossroads, where social cohesion and unity against common adversities can enable it to achieve lasting success. The age-old motto, “United we stand, divided we fall,” rings especially true for Pakistan today. The country must embrace collaboration over division to confront its challenges and secure a brighter future for its people.
