Dr. Ikramul Haq & Abdul Rauf Shakoori
Donald John Trump’s second term in office, starting from January 20, 2025, is bound to bring renewed attention to his aggressive and ambitious policy agenda, which aims to reshape both the American political environment and its role on the world stage. Trump known for his outspoken approach has outlined a series of bold commitments focused on reaffirming American dominance while addressing key challenges ranging from immigration to economic growth and international relations. At the core of his vision are the 20 core promises listed on his campaign website, which focus overwhelmingly on securing borders, reducing illegal immigration, bolstering the U.S. economy, and asserting a strong military presence globally.
Trump’s economic strategy revolves around addressing inflation and reducing the cost of living while positioning the United States as a global energy leader. His commitment to reviving American manufacturing includes implementing significant tax cuts for workers, eliminating taxes on tips, and reducing regulatory burdens, such as rolling back electric vehicle mandates. These reforms are designed to stimulate economic growth while preserving core American values such as free speech, religious freedom, and the right to possess arms. Additionally, his administration’s push for an advanced missile defence system reflects his broader goal of ensuring national security and countering global threats.
On the international stage, Trump’s foreign policy prioritizes maintaining peace and preventing major conflicts. His approach to the Panama Canal, an important global trade route, emphasizes his interest in protecting U.S. economic interests and ensuring its secure use for American commerce.
When it comes to Canada, Trump’s plans emphasize securing better trade deals and reinforcing U.S. economic interests, while dealing with cross-border tensions. Trump’s relationship with Greenland, which he sought to purchase, highlights his desire to expand U.S. influence in the Arctic, capitalizing on the territory’s strategic value and natural resources.
Trump’s complicated relationship with Russia, particularly with President Vladimir Putin, is framed by his belief in engaging from a position of strength. While recognizing the necessity of cooperation with Russia in managing global security threats, Trump is also prepared to confront Russian actions where required. This balanced approach to foreign relations is likely to continue in a second term, as Trump seeks to maintain power dynamics without provoking unnecessary escalation.
In regard to the Israel and Palestinian conflict, Trump’s administration has focused on direct engagement to broker peace, without fully endorsing the two-state solution. His efforts to facilitate peace deals prioritize Israel’s security while encouraging Palestinian leadership to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at long-term stability in the region.
Domestically, Trump’s policies aim to provide relief to the American people by addressing issues such as crime, public safety, and urban decay. His efforts to dismantle drug cartels, curb criminal activity, and restore order in American cities are critical to his vision of a safer, more vibrant nation. Alongside these efforts, Trump is committed to preserving the U.S. military’s global dominance and ensuring the continued strength of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency.
The approach of Trump to social security focuses on protecting benefits without increasing the retirement age, while his education reform agenda targets eliminating funding for schools promoting radical ideologies, ensuring fairness in sports, and reinstating patriotism on college campuses. Trump’s proposed election reforms, including measures like voter identification and paper ballots, aim to safeguard electoral integrity.
Trump’s leadership style is significantly influenced by his background as a businessman and television personality. His “America First” philosophy, which characterized his first term, often polarized opinions but highlighted his commitment to ambitious, large-scale changes.
A potential second term would likely continue Trump’s focus on securing borders, revitalizing American manufacturing, and protecting American values. His pledge to initiate the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and to make the U.S. a global energy powerhouse exemplifies his approach to tackling the nation’s economic and geopolitical challenges head-on.
For Pakistan, engaging with the Trump administration presents both opportunities and significant challenges. Pakistan’s foreign policy, historically reactive and often shaped by external pressures, has struggled to assert its interests on major international platforms. This weakness has been especially evident in issues like Kashmir, where India’s proactive diplomacy has overshadowed Pakistan’s efforts. India’s success in securing favourable trade agreements, forming strategic alliances, and participating in multilateral organizations has positioned it as a stronger player in global diplomacy, while Pakistan’s approach has often been fragmented.
Trump’s promise to avoid World War III and restore peace in conflict zones like Europe and the Middle East could offer Pakistan an avenue to engage constructively with his administration, particularly in the context of regional security. However, for Pakistan to effectively engage with the Trump-led U.S., it must transition away from its dependency on foreign aid and adopt a more self-reliant approach. Pakistan’s foreign ministry, often criticized for its lack of strategic vision and leadership, would need to reassess its diplomatic priorities to strengthen ties with the U.S.
Pakistan should highlight shared interests, such as counterterrorism efforts, regional stability, and economic cooperation to foster a more positive relationship with the Trump administration. By positioning itself as a reliable partner in the fight against extremism and as a gateway to Central Asian markets, Pakistan could enhance its strategic value. Additionally, leveraging its geographical location and fostering people-to-people connections could further solidify bilateral relations.
Pakistan’s dependence on foreign aid has historically weakened its global standing, and overcoming this reliance will require structural reforms and a more proactive approach to diplomacy. Pakistan must prioritize strengthening its diplomatic corps, diversifying its international partnerships, and focusing on economic diplomacy to successfully engage with the Trump administration. This means promoting trade, attracting foreign investment, and increasing its participation in global value chains to ensure long-term economic stability.
Trump’s emphasis on securing elections and promoting national unity through economic success highlights the importance of governance reforms. For Pakistan, this serves as a reminder to improve its internal governance structures and address challenges that undermine its international credibility. Adopting best practices from Trump’s focus on accountability and performance could help Pakistan enhance its domestic institutions and project a more positive image on the global stage.
It is a time that we should recognize the role of soft power in shaping international perceptions. By investing in cultural diplomacy, educational exchanges, and media outreach, Pakistan can improve its global image and build goodwill. Showcasing its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene could counter negative stereotypes and create a more favorable narrative internationally.
The Trump administration’s policies will pose both challenges and opportunities for Pakistan. While Trump’s focus remains firmly on U.S. interests, his foreign policy offers potential avenues for collaboration. In order to take full advantage of these opportunities, Pakistan must overhaul its foreign policy, appoint an experienced diplomat as a foreign minister, and prioritize sustainable partnerships. By taking a proactive approach and focusing on key areas like security, economic diplomacy, and cultural engagement, Pakistan can strengthen its relationship with the United States and carve out a more assertive role in the international arena.
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Dr. Ikramul Haq, Advocate Supreme Court, specializes in constitutional, corporate, media and cyber laws, ML/CFT, IT, intellectual property, arbitration and international taxation. He holds LLD in tax laws with specialization in transfer pricing. He was full-time journalist from 1979 to 1984 with Viewpoint and Dawn. He served Civil Services of Pakistan from 1984 to 1996. He established Huzaima & Ikram in 1996 and is presently its chief partner.
He studied journalism, English literature and law. He is Chief Editor of Taxation. He is country editor and correspondent of International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) and member of International Fiscal Association (IFA). He is Visiting Faculty at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and member Advisory Board and Visiting Senior Fellow of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
He has coauthored with Huzaima Bukhari many books that include Tax Reforms in Pakistan: Historic & Critical Review, Towards Flat, Low-rate, Broad and Predictable Taxes (revised & Expanded Edition, Pakistan: Enigma of Taxation, Towards Flat, Low-rate, Broad and Predictable Taxes (revised/enlarged edition of December 2020), Law & Practice of Income Tax, Law , Practice of Sales Tax, Law and Practice of Corporate Law, Law & Practice of Federal Excise, Law & Practice of Sales Tax on Services, Federal Tax Laws of Pakistan, Provincial Tax Laws, Practical Handbook of Income Tax, Tax Laws of Pakistan, Principles of Income Tax with Glossary and Master Tax Guide, Income Tax Digest 1886-2011 (with judicial analysis).
He is author of Commentary on Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements, Pakistan: From Hash to Heroin, and its sequel Pakistan: Drug-trap to Debt-trap and Practical Handbook of Income Tax. Two books of poetry are Phull Kikkaran De (Punjabi 2023) and Nai Ufaq (Urdu 1979 with Siraj Munir and Shahid Jamal). He regularly writes columns for many Pakistani newspapers and international journals and has contributed over 2500 articles on a variety of issues of public interest, printed in various journals, magazines and newspapers at home and abroad.
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Abdul Rauf Shakoori, Advocate High Court, is a subject-matter expert on AML-CFT, Compliance, Cyber Crime, and Risk Management. He has been providing AML-CFT advisory and training services to financial institutions (banks, DNFBPs, Investment companies, Money Service Businesses, insurance companies, and securities), government institutions including law enforcement agencies located in North America (USA & CANADA), Middle East and Pakistan. His areas of expertise include legal, strategic planning, and cross-border transactions including but not limited to joint ventures (JVs), mergers & acquisitions (M&A), takeovers, privatizations, overseas expansions, USA Patriot Act, Banking Secrecy Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Over his career, he has demonstrated excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills and has also developed and delivered training courses in the areas of AML/CFT, Compliance, Fraud & Financial Crime Risk Management, Bank Secrecy, Cyber Crimes & Internet Threats against Banks, E–Channels Fraud Prevention, Security and Investigation of Financial Crimes. The courses have been delivered as practical workshops with case study-driven scenarios and exams to ensure knowledge transfer.
His notable publications are Rauf’s Compilation of Corporate Laws of Pakistan, Rauf’s Company Law and Practice of Pakistan Rauf’s Research on Labour Laws and Income Tax, and others.
His articles include Revenue Collection: Contemporary Targets vs. orthodox approach, It is time to say goodbye to Our Past, US Double Standards, Was Due Process Flouted While Convicting Nawaz Sharif?, FATF and unjustly grey listed Pakistan, Corruption is No Excuse for Incompetence, Next step for Pakistan, Pakistan’s compliance with FATF mandates, a work in progress, Pakistan’s strategy to address FATF Mandates was Inadequate, Pakistan’s Evolving FATF Compliance, Transparency Curtails Corruption, Pakistan’s Long Road towards FATF Compliance, Pakistan’s Archaic Approach to Addressing FATF Mandates, FATF: Challenges for June deadline, Pakistan: Combating the illicit flow of money, Regulating Crypto: An uphill task for Pakistan. Pakistan’s economy – Chicanery of numbers. Pakistan: Reclaiming its space on FATF whitelist. Sacred Games: Kulbhushan Jadhav Case. National FATF Secretariat and Financial Monitoring Unit. The FATF challenge. Pakistan: Crucial FATF hearing. Pakistan: Dissecting FATF Failure, Environmental crimes: An emerging challenge,.
The recent publication, coauthored with Huzaima Bukhari, is
Pakistan Tackling FATF: Challenges & Solutions
available at:
https://aacp.com.pk/book-detail/pakistan-tackling-fatf-challenges-and-solutions-35
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RXH8W46