Trump Claims Role in India-Pakistan Ceasefire Through Tariffs

US President Donald Trump has asserted that his use of tariffs played a critical role in mediating a recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan. During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump claimed this intervention was pivotal in preventing a potential conflict, asserting that trade threats, including the imposition of 200 per cent tariffs, helped to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear nations.

Since May 2025, Trump has mentioned this mediation over 40 times in various speeches, interviews, and social media posts. He stated that the escalating situation had reached a perilous point, claiming, “They were going at it…seven planes were shot down. That’s a lot. And they were going at it. That could have been a nuclear war.” This remark refers to India’s Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on multiple terrorist camps in Pakistan following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

In the interview, Trump elaborated on his approach, stating, “I said to India and Pakistan pretty much the same thing: ‘Look, if you’re going to fight each other, I’m not going to do business with you. We’re going to put on a 200 per cent tariff. It’ll make it impossible for you to do business.’ And after 24 hours, I settled the war. I settled it through trade.” His assertion emphasizes his view of economic leverage as a tool for promoting global stability.

Trump’s claims have garnered mixed reactions. While Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly supported Trump’s statements and even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently rejected these claims. Indian officials maintain that any disputes with Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally, asserting that no foreign mediation occurred during the May escalation.

The US President has frequently underscored the efficacy of using tariffs as a mechanism to avert conflict. His remarks reflect a broader strategy of using economic tools to influence international relations, particularly in regions characterized by instability.

As Trump continues to highlight this narrative, it raises questions about the dynamics of international diplomacy and the role of economic pressure in conflict resolution.