US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he single-handedly defused what he described as a looming nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan by threatening to scrap all trade ties with both nations.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he directed his senior officials to warn New Delhi and Islamabad of a complete halt in trade if they did not stop fighting.
“I asked Howard Lutnick to call and tell India and Pakistan that Trump wants to cancel all trade deals with both countries, if they continue the war. Both nations called back and then stopped fighting,” the US President said.
Trump was referring to hostilities that, according to him, ended on May 10 following four days of drone and missile exchanges across the India-Pakistan border. “That was going to be maybe nuclear. We did that. We did some great work. I don’t know if there’s ever been a President that’s done much more,” he said.
Claiming how he handled the situation, Trump said he told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to cancel all trade deals with the two countries.
According to him, the ultimatum forced both sides to stand down. “They called back. What do we do? I said, You want to have trade with the United States or use nuclear weapons on each other? We’re not going to allow that. They both agreed. They both have great leaders,” Trump said.
