US President Donald Trump reiterated that his tariff policies were not only to help the economy but also to maintain global peace. Trump noted with regard to his tariff position, the advantages of which he stated reduced the risk of several international conflicts.
Tariffs as a Worldwide Preventative
Trump said that without the leverage of tariffs, we would possibly be in more than one war around the globe. “If I didn’t have the power of tariffs, you would have at least four of the seven wars raging,” he stated. He referred to India and Pakistan and said his policies prevented potential wars between the two nuclear-armed countries.
India-Pakistan Confrontation
Trump mentioned that India and Pakistan were very close to war, asserting that “seven planes” were shot down but omitted details. Trump’s description reinforces his idea that US economic policy options can directly influence order and peace internationally.
Economic Benefits Alongside Peacekeeping
Beyond his claims about world politics, Trump articulated US economic gains under his tariff policies. “Not only did we make hundreds of billions of dollars, but we are also a peacekeeper because of tariffs,” he commented. He indicated that both economic gains and peacekeeping efforts illustrated US strength both economically and diplomatically.
How Serious is this Assertion?
While comments from Trump may generate interest on TV, academics are not convinced about the clear relationship between tariffs and avoiding conflict. Critics would assert that international crises are multidimensional and involve complex features of politics, history, and military that tariffs alone simply cannot address. Nevertheless, Trump continues to employ this story to highlight his approach his administration has taken in working with foreign countries.
The bigger picture
Trump’s statements continue to embody his typical habit of linking economic policy with international diplomacy. Whether or not he is correct in describing himself as a “peacekeeper” through tariffs is an open debate, yet this statement typically follows his push, at least generally, to reassert the United States as a powerful actor in markets and international politics.
