President Donald Trump has again asserted that his trade policies and the imposition of tariffs were instrumental in de-escalating the May conflict between India and Pakistan, which he described as a “potential nuclear disaster.” Speaking at a White House event, Trump stated that he leveraged trade deals to prevent the South Asian crisis from escalating. He recounted telling both nations, “You go to war and we are not doing a trade deal.” Trump claimed that within 24 hours, both countries agreed to de-escalate, attributing the resolution directly to his trade leverage. He emphasized that tariffs are not just economic tools but are crucial for national security and national defense, bringing wealth to the nation. These claims have been consistently made by Trump, though India has repeatedly stated that all matters with Pakistan are bilateral and do not involve third-party mediation, including trade. The May escalation followed an attack that led to Indian airstrikes in Pakistan. Trump’s broader assertion is that his aggressive tariff strategy has bolstered American wealth and defensive capabilities, allowing the U.S. to act as a stabilizing force globally.
