Trump: Told India, Pakistan ‘Stop It or No Trade’
U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed credit for playing a critical role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade as a diplomatic tool. Speaking in his signature off-the-cuff style, Trump recounted how he pressured both nations into backing off from further escalation, offering trade as a carrot and withholding it as a stick.
“I’m very proud to let you know that the leadership of Indian and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful, but unwavering in both cases – they really were from the standpoint of having the strength and the wisdom and fortitude to fully know and to understand the gravity of the situation. And we helped a lot, and we also helped with trade,” he said.
Referring to his approach as unconventional yet effective, Trump stated, “I said. Come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let’s stop it, let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade. People have never really used trade the way I used it. By that, I can tell you, and all of a sudden they said. I think we’re gonna stop, and they have.”
Trade as a Tool of Diplomacy
Trump’s remarks suggest that he used the promise of economic cooperation to push both New Delhi and Islamabad toward a ceasefire. While he praised the leadership of both countries for their “strength and wisdom,” he emphasized his own role in manipulating trade incentives to bring about peace.
Although there has been no official confirmation from India or Pakistan about trade being a determining factor in the recent ceasefire decisions, Trump’s statement points to his belief in deal-making as a form of foreign policy. During his presidency, Trump often promoted trade leverage as a primary diplomatic strategy—most notably in his dealings with China, NATO, and North Korea.
Skepticism and Silence from South Asia
Neither India nor Pakistan has publicly acknowledged any pressure from the United States linked to trade deals as a reason for de-escalation. In fact, India’s official posture has consistently emphasized independent decision-making in matters of national security. Nonetheless, Trump’s comments underscore how external powers, especially the U.S., continue to exert behind-the-scenes influence when tensions flare in South Asia.
Trump’s assertion adds a controversial note to the complex geopolitical chessboard of the region, where military actions, diplomatic channels, and economic calculations often intersect in unpredictable ways.
