Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he prevented India and Pakistan from heading toward a nuclear conflict by threatening both countries with severe trade penalties.
These remarks come a few months after Pakistan reportedly shot down seven Indian fighter jets in May 2025, including three Rafale aircraft.
Speaking at a Saudi Investment Conference in Washington, Trump said that during a period of intense tension, he warned New Delhi and Islamabad of severe economic consequences. He stated, “I was talking about multiple wars, and look, India and Pakistan were on the verge of attacking each other with nuclear weapons. I said, ‘Okay, you fight, but I will impose a 350% tariff on both countries—no trade with the U.S.’ Both sides responded, ‘No, no, you can’t do that.’”
Trump continued, “I said I will do it, then you can come and talk to me, and I might reduce it. But I will not allow you to fire nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people, and sending a nuclear cloud to Los Angeles. I will not allow that.”
He further claimed that he made clear that whether the countries liked it or not, he was ready to impose 350% tariffs to prevent the war. If they stopped, a good trade deal could follow; if they didn’t, trade would end.
Trump criticized President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden “wouldn’t even know which countries were involved, and the world would be destroyed.”
Trump said he had resolved several conflicts through tariffs and trade, claiming that five out of eight potential wars were avoided due to economic pressure and tariffs. He also alleged that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called to thank him, stating, “You saved millions of lives.” He added that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called to assure him that India would not go to war, and the matter was resolved.
