Trump yet again claims he threatened India, Pakistan with 200% tariffs to deter conflict

US President Donald Trump has once again insisted that he had earlier threatened India and Pakistan with “200%” tariffs if they went to war--a claim repeatedly rejected by New Delhi and widely questioned by experts.

Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting, Trump described the threat in retrospective terms, saying: “I told them if you fight, I’ll put 200% on each of you.” He suggested the warning was aimed at discouraging escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Trump also highlighted his personal familiarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating he knows Modi “very well,” while adding that his understanding of Pakistan came through limited trade engagement. “I know PM Modi very well, got to know Pak with a little trade,” he said.



Also read: Trump says US needs to make meaningful deal with Iran, cites good talks

Expanding beyond South Asia, Trump indicated that a decision regarding Iran could emerge “in about 10 days,” warning that Tehran must reach a “meaningful deal” or “bad things happen.” He also said he would speak to the United Nations Secretary-General shortly, while remarking that the UN has “great potential” but has “not lived up to that potential.”

On West Asia, Trump said he was committed to achieving a Gaza that is “properly governed,” adding he does not expect it will be necessary to send soldiers to fight. He further claimed that Hamas “will be getting rid of their weapons,” though he added that this still needed to be confirmed, and asserted that Gaza was “no longer a hotbed of radicalism and terror.”

Trump said more than $7 billion had been pledged toward Gaza relief, announcing that nine members had agreed to contribute the amount as part of the package. He added that the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and other contributors were part of the effort, with further support expected.

The US, he said, would commit $10 billion to the Board of Peace initiative, which he described as a body that would work alongside--and in some respects “overlook”--the UN while ultimately aiming to strengthen the global organisation’s functioning.