'Nothing like money': Donald Trump claims '200% tariffs' warning forced India, Pakistan to stop fighting
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump claimed that his threat of imposing "200% tariffs" on India and Pakistan was instrumental in stopping their military tensions in May 2025. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his self-styled "Board of Peace," Trump boasted about his role in mediating the conflict, stating that he had saved millions of lives by preventing a potential war between the two nuclear-armed nations. He highlighted that both countries were on the brink of escalation, with planes being shot down and tensions rising, before he intervened.
Trump revealed that he directly communicated with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, warning them that continued fighting would result in severe economic consequences through his proposed tariffs. According to Trump, this financial pressure led both nations to negotiate a deal, avoiding further conflict. Pakistan’s prime minister publicly acknowledged Trump’s efforts, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Pakistan’s army chief. However, India has distanced itself from Trump’s claims, emphasizing that no foreign mediation was involved in resolving the tensions.
The "Board of Peace" event, which Trump initiated to promote global peace, saw participation from several countries, including Pakistan, which promptly joined the initiative. While Pakistan aligned with Trump’s narrative, India remained cautious, reiterating its stance that internal diplomacy resolved the situation without external interference. Trump’s approach underscores his strategy of using economic leverage as a tool for international conflict resolution, raising questions about the effectiveness and ethics of such methods in global diplomacy.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/19/2026