Trump told reporters Friday that the United States is “very close” to a trade agreement with India. He also confirmed that a Pakistani delegation will visit Washington next week for diplomatic talks.
But here’s the catch: Any hint of conflict between India and Pakistan could throw the whole thing off.
“If they’re about to go to war, I’m not making a deal with either of them,” Trump warned.
What This Means for You
Trade deals aren’t just paperwork—they decide what shows up on our shelves and how much it costs.
If the US signs a deal with India, expect smoother supply chains and possibly cheaper goods. But if things heat up between India and Pakistan, it’s back to uncertainty.
Conflict Could Cost Everyone
Tensions in the region flared after India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7—a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26.
Trump didn’t hold back. He said any war-like situation between the nuclear-armed neighbors could derail diplomatic efforts.
And here’s the Trump twist:
“We don’t do trade with countries threatening each other with nukes.”
It’s hardball diplomacy—but it works, he claims. “They understood that,” Trump added. “That’s why it all calmed down.”
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Behind the Scenes of the Deal
India’s Piyush Goyal and Vikram Misri have both visited Washington this month to push negotiations forward. The Indian Embassy called Misri’s meeting with Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau “a great first meeting.”
In a possible big concession, India is reportedly open to allowing US companies into its $50 billion government procurement market.
Biden’s Tariff Game Adds Pressure
The Biden administration has added more urgency by signaling steep new tariffs—up to 29% on Pakistani exports and 26% on Indian exports, unless deals are reached soon.
That’s the stick to Trump’s carrot.
A Trade Deal or a Time Bomb?
Here’s the irony: the guy who once threatened to “obliterate” economies with tariffs is now using trade talks to prevent nuclear war.
You don’t have to like Trump to admit—that’s a heck of a flex.
But the stakes are real. A misstep in Kashmir could crash billion-dollar deals.
With Pakistan’s representatives arriving next week and India already in advanced talks, the next few days could shape South Asia’s economic future—and maybe prevent something worse.
Deals, diplomacy, and danger—all playing out in real time.
