Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again stirred global discussion with a controversial claim. Speaking at a recent rally, Trump said that his administration’s tariff policy was the key reason why a potential war between India and Pakistan was averted. “We were the peacekeepers because I used the power of tariffs,” he declared.
According to Trump, “If I hadn’t imposed tariffs, at least four major wars would still be going on. India and Pakistan were ready to go to war. I told them pay the tariffs, or we’ll end trade relations and that’s what stopped it.” He further added that a senior Pakistani military official had personally thanked him, saying that his decision “saved millions of lives.”
Trump portrayed his economic strategy as a tool for diplomacy and peacekeeping, suggesting that economic leverage can be more powerful than military intervention.
The comment comes against the backdrop of India’s Operation Sindoor, a counter terror mission targeting camps inside Pakistan-administered territory. At the time, tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbors were at their peak. India had maintained that the ceasefire and de escalation were achieved bilaterally, without any third party mediation a stance Trump’s remarks now appear to challenge.
Political analysts believe Trump’s statement is part of his broader campaign narrative to portray himself as a “global peace broker.” He has frequently cited his administration’s economic influence as a diplomatic weapon that kept international conflicts under control.
Diplomatic experts argue that the complex dynamics of India Pakistan relations cannot be explained simply through trade pressure or tariffs. While India has not officially responded, government sources in New Delhi insist that peace efforts during that period were entirely domestic and independent of U.S. involvement.
Trump’s comments have once again reignited debate over America’s real role in South Asian geopolitics. Whether his claims hold truth or political intent, one thing is clear Trump continues to shape his legacy as a leader who, in his words, “kept the world out of wars through the power of American trade.”
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