Trump’s first 100 days

President Trump’s second term is now 100 days in. The headlines have focused on tariffs, political theatre and executive orders. But for Pakistan, the most important shifts have happened quietly. A new window has opened in Washington, and for once, it is not about alliances or ideology. It is about clarity. That alone creates an opportunity.

Trump does not speak the language of traditional diplomacy. He has little interest in the rituals of statecraft or the pacing of bureaucracy. What he values is speed, leverage and delivery. He wants to know who he’s dealing with, what they bring to the table, and how fast they can execute. That directness may unsettle some governments. For Pakistan, it might be exactly what we need.

We have long struggled to define our place in the American conversation. For too many years, our story has been told by others. In Washington, think tanks and lobbying groups have shaped perceptions of Pakistan in ways that often do not reflect reality. But this administration is different. Trump is not interested in lengthy white papers or second-hand analysis. He is not guided by career diplomats or institutional inertia. He listens to those who bring results. This creates a rare opportunity for Pakistan to speak for itself, directly and confidently.

It also demands that we shift how we prepare. The US under Trump is not looking for friendship. It is looking for value. That may sound transactional, but it is also more honest than the vague talk of strategic partnerships that never quite delivered. If we want to be taken seriously, we have to define what we offer, not in sentiment but in specifics.

The 29 per cent tariff on Pakistani textiles earlier this year was a wake-up call. It reminded us that nothing is guaranteed. Preferences can be withdrawn, and assumptions can expire. But it also showed that Washington’s door is not closed. The administration is willing to listen, and even to reverse course, if a compelling case is made. That case cannot be built on grievance alone. It must rest on reform, compliance, and mutual benefit. In response to the tariffs, Pakistani ministries have begun engaging more seriously, signalling that the status quo is no longer acceptable. That urgency is good. But it must be sustained.

Security is another area where expectations have changed. Trump wants measurable outcomes, not open-ended promises. For Pakistan, this presents both a challenge and a chance. We can no longer rely on talking points. We need to show where our interests align and how we can deliver. In this regard, regional dynamics are shifting in our favour.

For years, American policy in South Asia tilted heavily toward New Delhi, often at Pakistan’s expense. But Trump does not believe in regional favourites. He believes in performance. That gives us an opening. If we position ourselves as a reliable partner on regional security, logistics, and intelligence, there is a path forward.

But this path cannot be walked passively. Pakistan has always waited to be invited. That habit no longer serves us. If we want to be in the room, we have to bring something to the table. That means showing up with well-defined proposals, backed by data and supported by policy. It also means doing the quiet work of reintroducing ourselves to American decision-makers – not just the ones in government, but in business, media and investment circles.

Narrative matters. And for too long, we have been letting others write ours. Trump’s administration is not interested in carefully worded memos or overproduced campaigns. It is looking for seriousness. If we can deliver that, we will be heard.

We should not overreach. This is not about flattery. It is about alignment. We need to be disciplined in what we ask for and clear in what we are willing to give. The future of our engagement with the US will not be shaped in headline moments. It will be built in quiet rooms, with competent people, realistic goals, and an understanding that this is a two-way street.

There are, of course, risks. Trump moves fast. If we delay or send mixed signals, we may find ourselves left behind. But we have seen that when Pakistan engages with purpose, the US responds. Whether in trade talks or regional dialogues, there is room for progress if we come prepared.

The biggest risk is to wait and hope. The bigger mistake would be to assume that this presidency will revert to the old model. It will not. The terms have changed. The style is different. But the door is open.

What we do next matters. This is a moment to move with intention. Not out of desperation, but because we are ready. Ready to lead with value. Ready to speak for ourselves. And ready to define a modern relationship with the world’s largest economy on terms that are clear, fair and forward-looking.

The writer is a non-resident fellow at the CISS. He posts/tweets @umarwrites