US President Donald Trump claimed on Thursday that he prevented a nuclear confrontation between Pakistan and India by threatening a 350% tariff.
He said leaders in Islamabad and New Delhi called to thank him for averting a potential disaster.
Speaking at the Saudi investment conference, Trump recounted how Pakistan and India were on the brink of armed conflict involving nuclear weapons. He claimed he warned both nations that the US would impose a massive 350% tariff if hostilities proceeded.
“I refused to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people, and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles,” Trump said.
Gratitude from Pakistan and India
Trump stated that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called him to acknowledge the intervention. “He said, ‘President Trump saved millions and millions of lives,’” Trump recalled.
Shortly after, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly called to confirm that tensions had de-escalated, saying, “We’re done. We’re not going to war.”
Trump emphasized that trade and economic threats were central to his approach, claiming that five of eight global conflicts he addressed were settled through economic leverage. He portrayed himself as uniquely effective in using tariffs to prevent violence.
Trump also highlighted his work on other international crises, including Sudan, noting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had requested his involvement there. Despite diversions to other topics, the central claim of his address remained his intervention in South Asia using economic threats.
