Trump says he averted Pakistan-India war using trade & tariff threats

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he played a key role in helping de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting how trade and tariffs have been instrumental in preventing global conflicts, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Describing tariffs as a key factor in strengthening the United States and promoting peace through economic leverage, Trump said "We're doing really well in trade. We're taking in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs. The tariffs are making this country so rich, and they're making it powerful."

Speaking in his Oval Office after a dinner event on Wednesday, Trump recalled how tensions between India and Pakistan had escalated dangerously. "We stopped a lot of these wars using trade. We had, as an example, India and Pakistan going at it really hard. They don't talk about it. Seven planes were shot down."

"It was going to happen. Bad things were happening. And I was talking to both of them about trade," Trump continued. "And I said, how are we going to do this? They said, 'Sir, we're doing very well by trade.' I said, 'Well, we're not going to do well. We're not going to do a trade deal unless they stop the war.'"

Trump recounted how he personally intervened to de-escalate the situation by leveraging trade pressure. "And I got them on the call. And I said, 'Listen, we're going to put a 200 percent tariff on your country for any product you're selling to the United States unless you stop this war. Because I'm not going to be a party to it,'" he said.

He added that both sides expressed concern over his tariff threat. "We have two nuclear nations, by the way. 'No, no, no, you can't do that.' I said, 'I can't do that? Very easily, I can.' We're not going to have to lose millions of people from the planet. And frankly, that dust can go over here too," Trump remarked, underscoring the catastrophic consequences of any nuclear escalation.

Trump:

Prime Minister of Pakistan said so beautifully — you saved millions of lives.

I think he’s referring to the fact that that would have been with India, nuclear war that was getting very close.

Seven planes — they don’t talk about it, but seven aircraft were shot down. pic.twitter.com/PY701CULKE

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 15, 2025

Emphasising the destructive potential of nuclear war, he said, "It affects everything. It's a powerful, powerful weapon, too powerful. So powerful you don't want to talk about it."

Standing firm on his position, Trump said he made clear that continued hostilities would have economic consequences. "So they said, 'No, no.' I said, 'Yes, yes. It needs to stop. If you're going to go and do it, we're cutting off all negotiations. There'll be no trade with the United States of America,'" he said.

According to Trump, both nations eventually backed down. "Both nations spoke to a vote. I like both the leaders. I like them both," he said. "Why? Well, I said, that's the way it is. And the next thing, we have decided to de-escalate."

He recalled that both countries agreed to step back from confrontation. "I said, 'I hope you won't, but I shouldn't.' 'We have decided that we will not fight.' I said, 'Have you come to a conclusion?' 'Yes, we're not going to do any more. Let's stop. Let's stop.' Just like that," Trump said.

Reflecting on the outcome, Trump claimed the intervention prevented a catastrophic conflict. "This could have been a nuclear war, probably. It would have been."

He concluded by emphasising that trade was a crucial factor in preventing wars and maintaining stability. "And part of the reason we did it was trade. I think of the eight, I would say five were because of trade. You know, the power of trade, the power of tariffs," he said.

"The tariffs have made us a very common nation because a lot of people aren't dying. I use it for purposes of stopping wars. I love stopping wars," Trump added.

Responding to a question, Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop buying oil from Russia, and Trump said he would next try to get China to do the same as Washington intensifies efforts to cut off Moscow’s energy revenues.

“So, I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump told reporters. “That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”

The Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to emailed questions about whether Modi had made such a commitment to Trump.