Wed May 28 18:07:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**U.S. Claims Trump Trade Offer Secured India-Pakistan Ceasefire; India Denies Mediation**

**NEW DELHI – May 28, 2025** – The United States government, in a recent court filing, asserted that a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following India’s “Operation Sindoor” was “only achieved” after former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, offering both countries trade access to the U.S. in order to prevent a full-scale war.

The claim, made by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a submission to the United States Court of International Trade, is part of a defense against a lawsuit challenging global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Lutnick argued that the ability to impose such tariffs is crucial for U.S. national security, citing the India-Pakistan ceasefire as an example.

“This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war,” Lutnick stated in the filing. “An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump’s offer, threatening the security of an entire region and the lives of millions.”

However, the Indian government has refuted the U.S. claim of mediation. On May 13, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that while conversations took place between Indian and U.S. leaders during the period of the conflict (May 7-10), “the issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions.” He emphasized that the ceasefire was forged through “direct contact” between India and Pakistan, not via U.S. mediation.

When questioned about the U.S. court submission, Jaiswal reiterated the Indian government’s previously stated position.

The U.S. claims come as India and the U.S. are engaged in advanced trade deal negotiations, aiming for a July 9 deadline, which marks the end of a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs granted by the Trump administration. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently concluded a week-long trip to the U.S., meeting with Secretary Lutnick to discuss the trade deal. Further negotiations are expected to take place in India in the coming weeks.

Additionally, the two countries are involved in an ongoing dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding U.S. import duties on steel and aluminum. India has reserved the right to impose reciprocal tariffs, while the U.S. maintains the duties are a matter of national security and therefore not subject to WTO challenges.

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