Trump Uses Trade Shield, Claims India-Pak Peace

Washington DC In a statement that has once again stirred global debate, the White House reiterated former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of playing a decisive role in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt said that Trump used trade as a “shield” to achieve peace agreements and highlighted his pride in mediating conflicts during his presidency.

Leavitt added that Trump took satisfaction in helping leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia sign peace accords and positioned his approach as a blueprint for resolving other long-standing global conflicts. “President Trump has always believed in the power of trade to bring adversaries together. He is proud of what was achieved under his leadership,” she said, while repeating the assertion that Trump helped ease India-Pakistan tensions—an oft-repeated claim that many experts and officials in both countries have disputed.

India and Pakistan have fought several wars since their independence in 1947, and the Kashmir issue remains a central flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. While Trump has previously stated that he offered to mediate, New Delhi has consistently denied the claim, reiterating that Kashmir is a bilateral matter with no room for third-party intervention.

Analysts point out that Trump’s repeated assertion about resolving the India-Pakistan conflict through trade does not align with the facts on the ground. Both nations continue to experience strained relations, with cross-border tensions and diplomatic disagreements persisting despite intermittent dialogue.

Trump, however, appears eager to frame his legacy around conflict resolution. According to the White House, his next focus is on addressing the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. Leavitt noted that Trump believes his experience in mediating disputes can serve as a model for achieving peace in Europe’s most devastating conflict since World War II.

“President Trump’s attention is now on stopping the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Leavitt said. “He feels confident that his unique ability to leverage trade, negotiations, and diplomacy can bring the warring sides to the table.”

While Trump’s confidence in his diplomatic approach remains high, critics argue that such claims often exaggerate his role in past agreements. International observers maintain that lasting peace in South Asia or Eastern Europe will require complex negotiations involving multiple stakeholders, far beyond the scope of trade deals alone.

For many in India and Pakistan, Trump’s repeated claims come across as disconnected from the ground realities of their decades-long conflict. Still, his statements continue to attract global attention, especially at a time when international leaders are searching for viable solutions to ongoing wars and geopolitical crises.

Whether or not his claims hold up under scrutiny, Trump’s narrative underscores his desire to be remembered as a peacemaker on the global stage. Yet, the persistence of unresolved disputes suggests that trade alone cannot mend the deep-rooted divisions that have shaped these conflicts for generations.