Kabul, November 10, 2024 – Afghanistan's Taliban government expressed optimism on Wednesday about the potential for a "new chapter" in relations with the United States following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said that the group hopes the incoming Trump administration will take "realistic steps toward concrete progress" in improving ties between the two countries. "Both nations will be able to open a new chapter of relations," Balkhi added.
The statement highlights the Taliban's focus on the US as a key player in shaping Afghanistan's future. Balkhi reminded that during Trump’s first term, the former president oversaw the signing of the 2020 Doha Agreement, which facilitated the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The agreement, which was signed on February 29, 2020, in Qatar, marked a historic moment in US-Taliban relations but notably excluded Afghanistan's then government.
Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, relations with the US have been strained, but the group has maintained that it is hopeful for a more constructive relationship with the new administration. The Taliban’s statements reflect their interest in improving diplomatic and economic ties, which have been heavily impacted by ongoing political and security challenges in Afghanistan.
The future trajectory of US-Taliban relations under Trump's second term remains uncertain, but the Taliban’s call for "concrete progress" suggests they are looking to build on the foundation laid by the Doha Agreement and explore avenues for cooperation with the US.
