US Secretary of State Pompeo Warns Against IMF Bailout for Pakistan That Aids China

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at the Indo-Pacific Business Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC on July 30, 2018. Pompeo discussed U.S. investments in the region as part of a strategy to contain China's rising influence. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned on July 30 that any potential International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout for Pakistan’s new government should not provide funds to pay off Chinese lenders.

In an interview with cable television station CNBC, Pompeo said the United States looks forward to engagement with the government of Pakistan’s expected new prime minister, Imran Khan, but said there was “no rationale” for a bailout that pays off Chinese loans to Pakistan.