Trump’s Tariff Diplomacy: Crediting Trade for Peace

President Donald Trump has once again highlighted his administration’s aggressive tariff strategy, claiming it was the decisive factor in preventing a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan in May. Speaking to Senate Republicans, Trump described a direct negotiation where he used the prospect of revoked trade deals as leverage. “If you do it, we are not doing a trade deal,” he reportedly told the leaders of the two nuclear-armed nations. He asserted that this threat led to a swift de-escalation within 24 hours, averting a “nuclear disaster.” Trump views tariffs as intrinsically linked to national security and a means to secure wealth for the U.S., contrasting it with past policies where other nations allegedly exploited American trade practices. This assertion contrasts with India’s long-standing position that all issues with Pakistan are bilateral and are managed through direct diplomacy, without external involvement. Trump, however, remains firm in his belief that his economic statecraft is a powerful tool for international conflict resolution.