President Donald Trump has again stated that his use of tariffs and trade pressure prevented a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan last year. In an interview with Fox Business on Tuesday (10), Trump said his warning of economic penalties played a central role in halting escalating hostilities between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Trump said that tariffs were a decisive tool in stopping multiple international conflicts during his tenure. “I settled eight wars. Of the eight wars, at least six were settled because of tariffs,” Trump said. “I told them, if you don’t settle this war, I’m going to charge you tariffs, because I don’t want to see people getting killed.”

Trump linked this broader strategy directly to tensions between India and Pakistan. According to Trump, the threat of tariffs helped push both sides toward a ceasefire at a time when the situation was intensifying.

Trump Claims Conflict Could Have Turned Nuclear

During the interview, Trump described the hostilities between India and Pakistan as severe. He referred to reports that 10 aircraft were shot down during the confrontation. “They were really going at it,” Trump said.

Trump added that in his assessment, the situation could have escalated further. “It would have been a nuclear war, in my opinion,” Trump said, emphasizing the risk posed by the involvement of two countries with nuclear capabilities.

Trump also said that Pakistan’s prime minister credited him for his role in preventing a wider conflict. According to Trump, the Pakistani leader told him he had “saved at least 10 million lives” by intervening at a critical moment.

Trump maintained that economic pressure was central to the outcome. “Without tariffs, that wouldn’t have happened,” he said, referring to the ceasefire agreement.

Trump Repeats Claim of Ceasefire Role

Since May 10 last year, Trump has repeatedly asserted that he facilitated a “full and immediate” ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Trump has made this claim more than 80 times, stating that talks he said were mediated by Washington led to the halt in hostilities.

Trump’s comments have consistently framed tariffs as a diplomatic tool. In the interview, Trump positioned tariffs not only as a trade mechanism but as leverage to prevent military escalation and loss of life.

The focus on tariffs aligns with Trump’s broader economic strategy, which has emphasized trade measures as a primary instrument of foreign policy. Trump has frequently described tariffs as effective in securing outcomes beyond trade, including security-related objectives.

India Denies Third-Party Mediation in Ceasefire

Despite Trump’s repeated claims, India has consistently denied that any third party was involved in ending the conflict. Indian officials have maintained that the ceasefire was achieved without external mediation.

The tensions between India and Pakistan followed India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation targeted alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The strikes were carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians.

Following Operation Sindoor, hostilities intensified between the two sides. Reports indicated military exchanges, including the reported downing of aircraft. The ceasefire was announced shortly after.

India’s position has remained that the resolution was bilateral and did not involve mediation by Washington or any other external actor.

Trump and the Use of Tariffs as Strategic Leverage

Trump’s latest remarks reinforce his view that tariffs can serve as a tool of strategic leverage. In the interview, Trump framed tariffs as a deterrent not only in economic disputes but also in military conflicts.

Trump’s claim that he “settled eight wars” and that “at least six were settled because of tariffs” reflects his broader argument that economic pressure can achieve diplomatic outcomes without armed intervention.

The India-Pakistan episode, as described by Trump, is central to that argument. Trump has positioned his tariff threat as a decisive factor in preventing what he believes could have been a nuclear confrontation.

At the same time, India’s continued denial of third-party mediation presents a contrast to Trump’s account. While Trump maintains that tariffs and US involvement were key to the ceasefire, India maintains that the matter was resolved directly between the two countries.

Trump’s statements continue to draw attention as tensions between major regional powers remain a global concern. The issue of tariffs, trade pressure, and diplomatic leverage remains a recurring theme in Trump’s foreign policy narrative.