Washington / New Delhi | October 13:

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again sparked international buzz — this time claiming that his “200% tariff threat” against India and Pakistan averted a potential war between the two nations.

In a recent interview, Trump suggested that his tough trade stance and personal diplomacy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped ease tensions in South Asia.

“I told them both — if you go to war, there will be 200% tariffs. Nobody wanted that. I stopped a war,” Trump said, in his trademark self-assured tone.

The statement instantly went viral — and so did the sarcasm.

🇮🇳🇵🇰 Trump’s “Trade for Peace” Theory

While Trump didn’t specify which conflict he was referring to, experts believe he alluded to the 2019 India-Pakistan escalation following the Pulwama terror attack.
However, records show that Washington’s involvement then was largely limited to diplomatic appeals for restraint — not trade-based threats.

Still, in true Trump fashion, the former president framed the episode as a personal victory.

“I get along very well with Prime Minister Modi… He’s a great guy, tremendous man,” Trump added, calling his friendship with Modi “one of the best in the world.”

Analysts quickly noted that this latest claim fits a pattern: Trump often re-casts global events as outcomes of his own “strong leadership.”

Fact-Check: No Tariff Threat Recorded

There is no official record of any 200% tariff warning being issued by the U.S. during that period.
In fact, at the time, Washington was in a separate trade dispute with New Delhi — with Trump accusing India of being the “tariff king.”

“Trump likely confused trade negotiations with crisis management,” quipped a former U.S. diplomat.
“It’s his unique brand of diplomacy — mix a little economics, add a superlative, and call it world peace.”

Internet Reacts: From Jokes to Memes

Social media platforms erupted within minutes of Trump’s statement.
Users flooded X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram with memes, including one showing Trump holding two flags captioned:

“When you stop a war using trade tax math.”

Others joked:

“Breaking: Trump claims he also stopped the Cold War with a tariff on ice.”

In India, the reactions were equally amused. One user posted:

“We didn’t need a ceasefire — just customs duty reform!”

Silence from New Delhi

Neither Prime Minister Modi nor India’s Ministry of External Affairs commented on Trump’s statement.
Political observers noted that the Indian government rarely responds to his exaggerated remarks, preferring diplomatic silence over debate.

Meanwhile, Washington insiders described Trump’s words as part of his “campaign trail storytelling” — more showmanship than statesmanship.

A Familiar Pattern

This isn’t the first time Trump has taken credit for global peace efforts.
He has previously claimed:

• He “stopped World War III” through his friendship with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.
• His presidency “brought peace to the Middle East.”
• And, of course, that he “won the U.S. election — twice.”

To many, this latest claim is simply another chapter in the Trumpian alternate reality show — part bravado, part punchline.

Behind the Drama

While the U.S. did quietly urge restraint between India and Pakistan in 2019, senior diplomats confirmed there was no trade-based ultimatum.
Instead, Washington, London, and Riyadh worked discreetly through diplomatic channels to cool tensions after Indian airstrikes in Balakot and Pakistan’s retaliatory action.

Experts say Trump’s new version may blend those facts with his obsession for tariffs — one of his most-used policy tools.

Global Reactions: Amusement Over Alarm

International outlets picked up the story, describing it as “classic Trump.”
A British journalist wrote:

“Donald Trump may have discovered the first non-violent weapon in world history — import duty.”

The Washington Post editorial noted that while Trump’s diplomacy style was “unconventional,” it was also “creatively inaccurate.”

Meanwhile in Reality

The India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, renewed in 2021, came through back-channel talks led by both militaries — not trade negotiations.
Still, Trump’s claim has once again reminded the world of his flair for turning policy into performance.