Trump Claims 250% Tariff Threat Prevented India-Pakistan Conflict: Analysis of US Foreign Policy Tactics

US President Donald Trump (File).

New Delhi:

On Wednesday, Donald Trump reiterated his claims about preventing a potential war between India and Pakistan in May through threats of implementing a prohibitive 250 percent tariff on both nations.

The US President has repeatedly sought credit for the May 10 ceasefire following Operation Sindoor - India's military response to the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack - despite India clearly stating that military operations ceased only after a direct request from Islamabad.

These claims have centered around threatening to withhold US trade agreements and impose massive tariffs, a strategy that has characterized American foreign policy during his second term, beginning with threatening Colombia with a 50 percent tax to force acceptance of deported immigrants.

"When you look at India and Pakistan... they were engaged in conflict," Trump stated during his visit to South Korea, the final stop of his Asia tour. "Seven aircraft were shot down. The situation was escalating significantly."

Trump claimed he contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani leadership to warn them about potential tariffs. "I told them I would impose a 250 percent tariff on each country... which effectively means they would never conduct business again. That was a diplomatic way of saying 'we don't want commercial relations with you'."

According to Trump, both leaders initially rejected his intervention. "They both responded, 'no, no, no, you should allow us to fight'. However, after two days they said, 'we understand' and halted the conflict."

Neither India nor Pakistan has responded to this latest statement.

Trump then complimented PM Modi, describing him as "the nicest-looking guy... but tough as hell".

"Regarding India and Pakistan, I'm negotiating a trade agreement with India and hold great respect and affection for Prime Minister Narendra Modi... we maintain an excellent relationship," he declared.

The US has imposed a 50 percent tariff on India.

Half of this is Trump's 'reciprocal' tax, addressing what he perceives as an unbalanced trade relationship between the two nations. The remainder is a 'penalty' tax because Delhi continues purchasing discounted crude oil from Moscow. These purchases, Trump has complained, have helped finance Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

This 50 percent tariff could potentially be reduced to 15 percent if the long-delayed trade agreement is finalized.

Delhi and Washington are negotiating an agreement expected to increase bilateral trade to over $500 billion by 2030, though completion remains distant. US demands for access to India's dairy and agricultural markets remain contentious issues. However, India has clarified that this agreement has no connection to Operation Sindoor or the ceasefire.

In June, the Indian government stated that the Prime Minister had clearly communicated this position during a telephone conversation with Trump, while also emphasizing that India would never accept third-party mediation (offered by the US leader) in disputes with Pakistan.

With input from agencies

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