At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, US President Donald Trump claimed that he had threatened India and Pakistan with 250% tariffs earlier this year to pressure both nations into ending their escalating conflict. According to Trump, he told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s leadership that the United States would suspend all trade if hostilities continued. “Within 24 hours, that was the end of that,” Trump boasted, calling it an “amazing” resolution. He added that “seven brand new planes” were shot down during the confrontation, though he did not specify which side suffered those losses.

Trump’s remarks come months after he announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire following a “long night of talks” mediated by Washington. He has repeatedly taken credit for helping to “settle” the conflict, despite India’s consistent denial of any third-party mediation. New Delhi maintains that the ceasefire understanding on May 10 was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations. The conflict itself had intensified after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that US–India trade negotiations are in their final stages, with talks focused on reducing tariffs on Indian exports—potentially lowering them from 50% to 15%. Trump’s latest comments appear to be part of his broader strategy to portray himself as a global dealmaker capable of resolving both diplomatic and economic disputes through hardline negotiation tactics. However, analysts have noted that such statements are likely aimed at domestic audiences ahead of the 2026 US elections, where Trump is expected to highlight his assertive foreign policy as a key campaign theme.