Trump claims role in settling Pakistan-India tensions through trade

May 22, 2025 (MLN): US President Donald Trump has reiterated his role in easing tensions between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that the United States is engaged in significant trade deals with both countries.

At a joint press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, US President Donald Trump claimed credit for helping to resolve tensions between Pakistan and India through trade.

“If you take a look at what we just did with Pakistan and India, we settled that whole thing, and I think I settled it through trade,” Trump said, adding, “We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan.”

The United States continues to be Pakistan’s largest export market, with exports surpassing $5 billion in 2024, while Pakistan imports around $2.1bn worth of goods from the US.

Despite recent challenges, including a 29% reciprocal tariff imposed on Pakistan last year under Trump’s global tariff strategy which is currently suspended until July Pakistan is eager to expand trade relations.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Bloomberg that Pakistan aims to boost imports from the US and remove non-tariff barriers to alleviate the impact of these tariffs.

Discussing the recent conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors, Trump acknowledged the escalating violence, stating, Somebody had to be the last one to shoot.

The shooting was getting worse and worse, deeper into the countries, he added.

He credited US diplomatic intervention for achieving a ceasefire, though he also mentioned criticism that blamed him for the tensions.

The ceasefire came after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which India accused Pakistan of supporting a charge Islamabad denies.

The ensuing hostilities included cross-border strikes but have since calmed.

Trump also commended the Pakistani people, calling them “brilliant,” and emphasized Islamabad’s strong interest in enhancing trade ties with the United States.

However, the International Monetary Fund has warned that tariffs imposed during the Trump administration could continue to hamper Pakistan’s economic growth, signaling ongoing challenges for bilateral trade.

This latest development highlights ongoing efforts to ease regional tensions and promote economic collaboration between the US, Pakistan, and India, with trade viewed as a crucial pathway toward peace and development.

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