Pakistan’s Delicate Dance with USA and China

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Pakistan navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, striving to maintain strong relations with both the United States and China amid their growing global rivalry. This article examines Pakistan’s strategic efforts to balance these relationships, leveraging economic and military partnerships to protect its national interests while avoiding entanglement in superpower conflicts.

For decades, Pakistan has developed a close alliance with China, highlighted by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Valued at more than $62 billion, CPEC has enhanced Pakistan’s infrastructure through the development of roads, ports, and energy projects, significantly impacting its economy. China’s military cooperation, including joint production of the JF-17 fighter jet and the HQ-9 missile system, reflects the “all-weather” nature of their partnership, as emphasized by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Beijing’s diplomatic support on regional issues such as Kashmir further strengthens this relationship, providing Pakistan with a strategic counterbalance to India’s expanding ties with the United States. A senior Pakistani official described China’s support as “vital for our strategic depth,” underscoring the enduring Sino-Pakistani alliance.

At the same time, Pakistan seeks to preserve its historic relationship with the United States, designated a major non-NATO ally since 2002. Despite strains following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, recent diplomatic engagements suggest a potential improvement. In June 2025, Field Marshal Asim Munir met with former President Donald Trump to discuss counterterrorism cooperation, with U.S. Central Command commander General Michael Kurilla acknowledging Pakistan as an important partner. The United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market, and access to International Monetary Fund (IMF) support, where U.S. influence is significant, is critical for Pakistan’s economic stability. However, U.S. support for India and skepticism toward some CPEC projects present challenges in the bilateral relationship.

Pakistan’s approach of balancing economic dependence on China with security and trade ties to the United States faces increasing complexity amid rising U.S., China tensions. While some analysts express concern about the risks involved, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has affirmed the country’s intent to maintain both partnerships, stating, “It’s an and/and discussion, not and/or.” By carefully managing this dynamic, Pakistan aims to preserve its economic stability and strategic autonomy without being compelled to choose sides.