United States President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of having played a key role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan by using trade as leverage. Recalling the incident, Trump stated that during a period of intense hostilities, when “seven planes were shot down” and “bad things were happening,” he warned both countries that the US would not move forward with trade deals unless the fighting stopped.
Trump says he averted India-Pakistan ‘war’ with tariff threat
Trump stated that he spoke to leaders of both nations (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif) and made it clear that the United States would not proceed with any trade deals unless the conflict was halted. Trump further claimed that he threatened to impose a 200% tariff on exports to the US if the fighting continued.
According to Trump, this pressure led to a quick response, stating, “I get a call the next day, we have decided to de-escalate… we will not fight.” Trump further emphasised his personal rapport with both leaders and concluded by saying, “I love stopping wars.”
“We stopped a lot of these wars using trade. As an example, India and Pakistan were going at it really hard. Seven planes were shot down…Bad things were happening and I was talking to both of them about trade…I said we are not going to do a trade deal unless they stop the war. I got him on the phone and I said, listen, we’re going to put a 200 % tariff on your country for any product you sell into the United States unless you stop this war…I spoke to the leaders of both nations. I like them both. But I said that’s the way it is and I get a call the next day, we have decided to de-escalate,” Trump said.
Trump’s another big claim
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump claimed that PM Modi confirmed to him that India would stop buying oil from Russia. The Republican leader described the move as a ‘big step’ in a bid to marginalize Moscow economically. ” He just said that two days ago, as you know. I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step,” Trump said while responding to ANI’s question on whether he considered India a reliable partner.
