In a fresh round of bold assertions, U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that he forced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan by threatening “100 %, 150 %, and 200 %” tariffs. Speaking to reporters en route to the Middle East, Trump insisted that without his tariff threats, “you could have never settled that war.” He framed the recent Gaza truce as the eighth conflict he has “solved,” and teased that his next diplomatic effort would focus on tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In May, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire after a period of escalation known as Operation Sindoor.  New Delhi, however, has consistently rejected outside mediation claims, maintaining that all decisions were reached via direct military and diplomatic channels without U.S. interference. 

Observers see Trump’s remarks as part of his ongoing narrative to portray himself as a global peace broker - though critics caution that boasting about tariffs as peacemaking tools risks aggravating trade tensions and undermining diplomatic norms.