India has reportedly halted the purchase of six additional P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy, in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs.
According to the Indian Defence Research Wing outlet, the decision was finalised on August 4, three days before the tariffs were set to kick in.
The Indian Navy already operates a fleet of 12 Boeing-made P-8I aircraft. India was the first in the world to procure them from the US in 2009.
The Navy had long advocated for additional procurement of P-8I to effectively monitor the Indian Ocean Region—especially to counter China’s rising maritime influence.
In 2021, the US State Department approved the possible sale of 6 additional aircraft to India at an estimated cost of $2.42 billion. But the delays due to supply chain issues led took the cost up to $3.6 billion in 2025.
While the rising cost of the aircraft did weigh on the minds of the Indian establishment, Trump’s tariff announcement is said to have been the final straw.
India's responds to Trump's tariffs
The move is not only expected to weaken the Indian Navy’s maritime edge, but also place the Trump administration in a tough spot, since it has been pushing defence deals to offset trade imbalances.
According to a New York Times article, Boeing Airlines has reaped the most benefits in Trump’s trade deals.
The aerospace company has reportedly received a steady stream of new orders as part of trade deals between the United States and other countries.
Indonesia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all agreed to buy expensive Boeing commercial planes.
It has also been observed that Boeing’s share price has climbed steadily since early April, when Trump announced steep tariffs on many countries.
The turnaround is noteworthy, considering the company has been beset with regulatory disasters caused by quality troubles, legal problems and labour issues.
For example, Boeing’s most popular plane, the 737 Max, was grounded for nearly two years after two fatal crashes.
Later, the 2020 pandemic severely impacted its supply chains. In 2024, the company had to slow down production at its factories after a panel blew off a plane during a flight.
Then a weeks-long strike left Boeing woefully behind its supply deadlines. Despite repeated setbacks, Boeing has continued to enjoy Trump's patronage due to his deep ties with the company.
Trump's connection with Boeing
Trump has repeatedly shown favour towards Beijing since he first entered the Oval Office in 2016.
The president has lavished the company with praise as “a truly great company,” touted the company’s products, and has even promoted their wares for foreign sales.
He is said to have cultivated a personal relationship with Boeing’s former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg before reaching the White House in 2016. Critics have also pointed out Boeing’s strong lobbying in the Trump administration, which has helped it secure deals with other countries.
In fact, Boeing was among the handful of American companies that funded Trump’s election in 2024.
