Former US President Donald Trump has made a bold claim about his role in ending a conflict between India and Pakistan, while also announcing a trade deal with South Korea. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in South Korea, Trump stated that he threatened both nations with 250% tariffs to resolve their dispute.

Trump's Assertion

Trump claimed that his threat resulted in stopping the war within 48 hours. He argued that no country could conduct business with such high tariffs, suggesting that this economic pressure was the key to resolving the conflict.

Praise for Leaders

In his remarks, Trump praised both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, referring to them as 'great' leaders. He specifically described Modi as 'tough' and a 'killer' guy.

Conflict Timeline

The conflict Trump referenced reportedly lasted four days, from May 7-10, following India's Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

India's Stance

It's important to note that India maintains that no foreign mediation occurred during this conflict. According to Indian sources, the ceasefire was reached after Pakistan's military leadership requested to halt actions.

Trump's Broader Claims

Trump also made several other assertions during his speech:

• He claimed to have stopped eight wars in eight months since taking office.
• He stated that his threat of 250% tariffs was the decisive factor in ending the India-Pakistan conflict.

These claims have not been independently verified.

Trade Deal with South Korea

In addition to his claims about the India-Pakistan conflict, Trump announced that a trade deal has been reached with South Korea. This announcement confirms the completion of trade negotiations between the two countries, marking a significant development in US-South Korea economic relations.

Key Points

These statements by Trump highlight the complex interplay between economic policy, diplomacy, and international conflicts. The announcement of the South Korea trade deal adds another dimension to Trump's international economic strategy. However, it's important to note that such claims often require further verification and may be subject to differing interpretations by the parties involved.

President Donald Trump has made significant statements regarding international trade and sanctions, affecting relations with India, Russia, China, and Canada.

US Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies

Trump stated that India is completely cutting back on Russian oil imports following US sanctions on major Russian oil companies Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC. He also claimed that China is substantially reducing Russian oil purchases, noting that Chinese state-owned companies including Sinopec canceled some Russian crude purchases after the US blacklisted the Russian oil firms.

The US has imposed sanctions on Russia's petroleum ministry and warned foreign financial firms that they could be frozen out of the US finance system if they deal with the sanctioned companies.

Diplomatic Engagements

Trump made these comments while traveling to Asia for meetings, including a planned discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. He expressed optimism about reaching a comprehensive deal with China, saying they would discuss agriculture and fentanyl components.

However, Trump showed disappointment with Russia, canceling planned talks with Putin and stating he wouldn't waste time on unproductive discussions regarding ending the Ukraine war.

Escalating Tensions with Canada

In a separate development, Trump announced an additional 10% tariff increase on Canadian goods, escalating tensions between the two nations. This decision comes in the wake of an Ontario government advertisement that aired during the World Series, which Trump deemed misleading and fraudulent.

The advertisement featured former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs, describing them as catalysts for trade wars and economic disaster. This content evidently struck a nerve with the current administration, leading to significant repercussions:

• Trump ended trade talks with Canada over the ad
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to pause the US ad campaign to resume negotiations
• Despite this agreement, the advertisement continued to air during Game 1 of the World Series

The specifics of the new tariffs remain unclear, particularly given the existing trade agreements between the two nations. Most Canadian exports to the US are currently exempt under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Diplomatic Implications

This development occurs against the backdrop of broader international engagements:

• Trump made the announcement while en route to Malaysia for an East Asia trip focused on trade issues
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed readiness to resume trade talks
• Trump indicated no plans to meet with the Canadian leader at the upcoming ASEAN summit

These developments underscore the complex nature of international trade relations and the potential impact of public communications on diplomatic and economic ties.