US President Donald Trump revived debate over American diplomatic power by claiming his threat of massive tariffs ended the latest India-Pakistan conflict quickly in May 2025.
In a Fox News interview, Trump asserted that both nuclear-armed states agreed to a ceasefire within 24 hours after he warned of trade penalties on both nations.
His comments have generated significant questions about how peace was actually achieved and whether trade leverage alone prompted the reversal.
India and Pakistan, however, stick by their public statements that direct military negotiations, not external pressure, drove the rapid de-escalation announced on May 10.
Diplomatic sources and officials in both countries continue to reject the notion of any significant US mediation.
What Did Trump Say About Ending the War?
President Trump maintained that his administration threatened both India and Pakistan with sweeping, punitive tariffs if fighting continued and business relations were not restored.
He told Fox News, “We are going to put massive tariffs on both of you… And within 24 hours, I had a peace deal… they stopped the fighting.”
Trump has previously described tariffs as an essential bargaining chip in achieving foreign policy and security goals, noting that economic pressure can sometimes achieve what crisis diplomacy cannot.
The US President linked his tariff strategy to rapid results, referencing his role in other ongoing global conflicts and asserting that economic leverage gives the US a unique advantage in peace negotiations.
Did you know?
India and Pakistan have held over 200 border flag meetings since 1947, but only a few have resulted in durable ceasefires.
How Did the Ceasefire Announcement Unfold?
According to both Indian and Pakistani government statements, the ceasefire was officially initiated during a direct call between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
India reported that Pakistan’s DGMO contacted its military at 3:35 PM IST on May 10, 2025, with both sides agreeing to halt all hostilities on land, sea, and air at 5:00 PM.
This version of events remains consistent across official records and press releases from New Delhi and Islamabad, emphasizing bilateral dialogue rather than third-party mediation.
Public records indicate that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was informed about the discussions, but neither nation acknowledged US pressure as the decisive factor in the ceasefire announcement.
Why Do India and Pakistan Dispute US Mediation?
Indian officials have repeatedly stated that the conflict resolution process is bilateral, and the Indian Parliament reinforced this stance in July, claiming, “Any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs denied accepting any third-party mediation. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar publicly confirmed that New Delhi would not agree to external dialogue, citing a direct rejection of US involvement by Secretary Rubio when Pakistan raised the matter.
Both governments maintain this policy position in all recent communications and press briefings, limiting space for alternate narratives about US or other external mediation.
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Which Events Escalated the May 2025 Crisis?
Tensions erupted after a deadly terrorist attack killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting militant sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Missile strikes, air attacks, and cross-border shelling characterized the four-day escalation. Over 50 casualties were reported on both sides due to drone strikes, ground combat, and intermittent military exchanges before the ceasefire.
The conflict raised concerns globally about the potential for nuclear escalation, with the Quad alliance, the EU, and global peace groups closely watching the situation.
What Are the Wider Ramifications of Tariff Diplomacy?
Trump’s latest claims come amid pressure from US lawmakers who warn that aggressive trade tactics could undermine the strategic partnership with India.
More than 20 members of Congress wrote to urge the repair of US-India relations and caution against tariff escalation, which, combined with energy purchase penalties, could disadvantage US interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Experts note that these tensions could complicate diplomatic relations, even as Washington touts its successful trade measures.
Trump continues to claim credit for ending several other global disputes by leveraging trade threats.
Yet, fact-checkers point out that many parties dispute his involvement and that some conflicts were not active at the time these claims were made.
Analysts emphasize the need for unbiased reviews of mediation claims to assess their validity in future crises.
Looking ahead, the India-Pakistan border remains one of the world's most sensitive flashpoints, where narratives of diplomacy and leverage will continue to intersect, and ground realities may not always align with public claims.
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