Trump Claims Credit for Preventing India-Pakistan War Through Tariff Threats

US President Donald Trump has claimed that tariffs have transformed the United States into a "kind nation."

New Delhi:

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for mediating peace between India and Pakistan by using tariffs as leverage. Trump, who styles himself as 'The Peace President,' frequently asserts that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for preventing "eight" wars. Despite not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, the President expressed that his primary concern is "saving hundreds and millions of lives."

8 Wars In 8 Months

During a White House press conference on Wednesday, Trump stated that he has prevented eight wars since taking office in January this year.

"...I don't think any President has stopped one war. I stopped eight wars in eight months. Did I get a Nobel Prize? No. Can you believe it? Even I said "that's impossible. No." But I suspect that next year will be better. But you know what I care about? I saved maybe hundreds and millions of lives..." he said.

Trump's remarks were consistent with statements he made on Sunday (local time), when he emphasized his role in resolving several long-standing global conflicts. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on October 13 during his Middle East journey, he referred to the Gaza ceasefire as the eighth conflict he had successfully helped resolve.

"This will be my eighth war that I have solved, and I hear there is a war now going on between Pakistan and Afghanistan. I said, I'll have to wait till I get back. I am doing another one. Because I am good at solving wars," Trump had said.

Trump's Magic Tariff Wand For Stopping Wars

The US President claimed that the country is performing "really well" in trade and collecting hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs, which he says is enriching the nation. He stated that the US has prevented multiple global conflicts by leveraging trade policies.

"...We stopped a lot of these wars using trade. As an example, India and Pakistan were going at it really hard. Seven planes were shut down...Bad things were happening, and I was talking to both of them about trade...I said we are not going to do a trade deal unless they stop the war. I got him on the phone, and I said, listen, we're going to put a 200% tariff on your country for any product you sell into the United States unless you stop this war because I am not going to be a party to it. They are two nuclear nations," he said.

Trump claimed he spoke directly with leaders of both nations - Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif. According to Trump, he received a call the next day informing him that the two nations had decided to de-escalate tensions.

"We have decided that we will not fight," he said.

In further defense of US tariffs, Trump stated that they have transformed America into a "kind nation," adding that he prefers to use tariffs for the "purpose of stopping wars. I love stopping wars."

Trump Responds To Shehbaz Sharif's Flattery

At a gathering of world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday, focused on ending the two-year Gaza conflict, Sharif praised Trump for brokering the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and supported his claims of stopping eight wars.

Recalling Sharif's comments, Trump responded, "...The Prime Minister of Pakistan got up the other day, said so beautifully, he says, you saved millions of lives. He told that to a group of people right in this office. He said the President saved millions of lives. I think what he's referring to is the fact that that would have been with India a nuclear war. That was getting very close...Seven aircraft were shot down."

Earlier this week, Sharif credited Trump for peace between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, which was India's retaliation to the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

India has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was achieved through direct discussions between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both militaries.

Trump also addressed the US envoy to India saying, "We have the new ambassador to India right here. They're well represented. You (US Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor) better represent us, not them...But Sergio is going to do a great job. He's going to do a great job..."