"After Trump launched a tariff war, the Indian military stated: 'Suspend purchasing US-made P-8I anti-submarine aircraft!' On August 6, 2025, local Indian media and the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization reported that the Indian military has suspended the purchase of six US-made P-8I Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy. The main reason is to retaliate against Trump's significant increase in tariffs due to India's purchase of Russian oil. This time, it is said that the Indian military took a very strong stance, suspending the purchase of US-made P-8I Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The Indian military highlighted that the US tariffs on India have increased from 25% to 50%.

Screen capture of the Indian media report

Screen capture of Russia's Sputnik report

According to Indian sources, this move by the Indian military occurred amid heightened tensions caused by the new US tariffs. According to Indian reports, the six US-made P-8I Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft are worth $3.6 billion and are now facing a re-evaluation of tactics by the Indian military. The Indian military and the Ministry of Defense have made this decision, indicating the military's stance, supporting Prime Minister Modi and the Indian authorities, and continuing the tariff war with the United States.

However, this is a pressure tactic by the Indian military. If the Indian Navy wants to procure anti-submarine patrol aircraft, globally, only the US P-8I anti-submarine aircraft is suitable in terms of delivery quantity, delivery time, the Indian Navy's usage plan, and logistics support. The Indian military has no better options and cannot self-develop. Now, it all depends on what President Trump will do. If he continues the tariff war with India, India's retaliation will be more severe.

The Indian military is now taking a very strong stance and must retaliate against the US

On August 6, US President Trump officially ordered an additional 25% tariff on India, making the US import tariff on India reach 50%. Compared to the Indian military's strong stance, the Indian government also responded strongly to President Trump's decision to impose higher tariffs. However, the problem with the Indian authorities is that although they have been speaking strongly for several days, they have not yet implemented any substantive countermeasures against the US tariffs, such as imposing tariff retaliation on US goods.

India is in the stage of industrial capital accumulation, and its products are all low-end, similar to Vietnam and Bangladesh. A 50% tariff would hit hard, and India would suffer greatly without the US market. India imports Russian energy for its own use, and the profit from resale is too high to give up. Moreover, after manufacturing, India exports phones to the US. Will Trump pardon them? Boeing produces AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and P-8I anti-submarine aircraft components in India. If India stops delivering, what will the US do? India should now retaliate by imposing equal tariffs on the US. The US losing the Indian market of 1.4 billion people would hurt more than India losing the US market. Backwardness invites punishment. Weak countries have no diplomacy. India lost a dogfight, lost six fighter jets, and the US stepped on it.

The Indian military has taken the initiative to suspend the purchase of six P-8I anti-submarine aircraft

On August 7, Shashi Tharoor, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and an Indian parliament member, stated that India's tariffs are now higher than those of other Asian competitors. He was even more angry because many countries buy Russian nuclear tests. Why did Trump severely sanction India but gave China a 90-day grace period? India had only 21 days, which he found extremely unfair, calling it double standards. He questioned Trump, asking if this is how a friendly country treats another friendly country? After Trump again imposed an additional 25% tariff, making India's tariff reach 50%, Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the Indian National Congress, stated that he demanded Prime Minister Modi to take a firm stance against the US. This put Modi in a difficult position; if Modi showed weakness, he would lose public support at home. Originally, the Indian authorities had hoped that the US would severely strike China, allowing India to replace China's supply chain with much lower tariffs. But now they were stunned, directly hit by Trump: Trump didn't attack China first, he attacked India directly! The US's different treatment of China and India isn't because one is more polite, but because we have a trump card (rare earths and cheap Chinese-made products). China's 90-day extension was achieved through fighting, following the principle "If China can do it, so can I." India should retaliate with a 50% tariff. Now, as Prime Minister Modi is about to visit China, India has received support from China, Brazil, and Russia.

Indian manufacturing indeed relies heavily on the US market

This time, the target of Trump's attack is not just India, but also Brazil. Brazilian President Lula stated that he plans to call India and China to discuss how the BRICS countries can jointly respond to US tariffs. On July 30, US President Trump signed an executive order increasing the tariff on Brazilian products to 50%, but at the same time, he provided a list of 700 exemptions in strategic areas such as aircraft manufacturing, energy, and some agriculture.

So far, Indian Prime Minister Modi has chosen to stand with China, Russia, and Brazil

The reality in India is that it has been abandoned by the West. Before the 57 air battle, the West highly favored India, hoping to completely suppress Pakistan and tie down China in this direction. However, after the 57 air battle, the Indian military underperformed, and now India is being sanctioned by the West. The US is also adding heavy tariffs on India, and India can't withstand it anymore. It seems that this round of the US President Trump's tariff war targets India and Brazil. Trump's current strategy appears to be to first consolidate the manufacturing bases and high-end markets of the Third World, Japan, South Korea, and the West. Once completed, he will directly exclude China, India, and Brazil, using the excuse that these countries have aligned with Russia, while France, Germany, and the UK dare not say harsh words. As for India, why has it developed so well in recent years? In the eyes of the US, "You give me money, but you want to play both sides. Naturally, I need to undermine India!"

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7535687527634715155/

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