As China expands its influence around the world, the US has an opportunity to counter Beijing’s efforts to establish a global presence. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, Great Britain expanded its empire and was, de facto, the world’s sovereign. The British were everywhere and exerted enormous power over not only their ubiquitous colonies, but also in nearly every seaport where the English fleet made port calls. Modern geopolitical posturing is no different than historical precedents. Physical presence is foreign policy. This is why a proposed new American project in Pakistan could be important.
While the US has had to spend time shoring up its foreign policy after a lackluster four years under Biden, China has been moving full steam ahead in establishing a presence throughout the world. However, the US may have an opportunity to energize and expand its economic relationship in South Asia. According to Reuters, during a recent meeting between President Trump and Pakistan’s President Shehbaz Sharif:
“Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited American companies to invest in the country during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House that also focused on how to end the war in Gaza, his office said on Friday. Sharif, along with army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, met Trump on Thursday [September 25], in a further sign of warming relations with the United States, which had been frozen under the previous US administration.”
Additionally, as part of a sidebar discussion, advisors to Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Munir, made an offer to US officials ahead of the September meeting regarding US investment in the Arabian Sea coastal town of Pasni in the Balochistan province. During the Trump-Sharif meeting, the Pakistani president proposed broader US investment in Pakistan’s technology, mining, agriculture, and energy markets. The advantage for US foreign policy is that closer economic ties with Pakistan have the potential to counter China’s heavy investments in the Gwadar seaport, located 82 miles from Pasni by road. Although not an official Pakistani government policy for developing the Pasni seaport, a planning document outlines the initiative.
The value of the potential deal is that it would benefit both the US and Pakistan. Economically, with the US operating a Pasni deepwater seaport, American stakeholders would gain direct access to Pakistan’s vast reserves of copper, antimony, neodymium, and rare earth elements, which are vital for batteries, defense technologies, and missiles. According to the Associated Press, a $500 million memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and the Missouri-based US Strategic Metals already supports mineral production and trade, with initial shipments sent in September 2025. An Arabian Seaport would make transportation much less expensive. Furthermore, having more unrestricted access to rare earth minerals is consistent with the Trump administration’s strategy to reduce dependence on China for minerals critical to national security.
Pakistan would benefit both economically and strategically from the estimated $1.2 billion Pasni seaport project. With US investors funding a significant portion of the effort, Pakistan could build rail links to mines, which would boost efficiency by creating an additional transportation node. Furthermore, as the Financial Times explained, “The proposed port at Pasni would be linked to a new railway to transport minerals from Pakistan’s interior… in particular copper and antimony, a vital ingredient in batteries, fire-retardant and missiles.” Considering Pakistan’s neighborhood, establishing a substantial economic tie on the Arabian Sea coast with the US would help balance the influence of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative at Gwadar.
If nothing else, the project would establish a geopolitical relationship between Pakistan and the US as an economic bulwark, countering India, whose growing energy ties with Russia are problematic. India buying energy resources – primarily crude oil and refined fuels – from Russia reduces the impact of US sanctions on Russia and extends Moscow’s ability to wage war against Ukraine.
Those familiar with the plan have emphasized that no accommodation is intended for a US military base at the Pasni port. Nonetheless, having American-run port facilities near Afghanistan and Iran provides an opportunity for the US to exploit the geography to keep tabs on regional enemies. If the Pakistan plan is legitimate, the US should not delay in pursuing the Pasni port opportunity. It would provide additional strategic presence necessary for the US to maintain influence in South Asia.
The views expressed are those of the author and not of any other affiliate.