The State Department had been in talks with Elon Musk's Tesla company to buy armored electric vehicles, but the plans have been put on hold by the Trump administration after reports emerged about a potential $400-million purchase.

The State Department said it planned to embark on a giant purchase of armored vehicles from Tesla, before the listing was edited to omit any reference to Elon Musk’s company.

Vehicles made by Elon Musk’s company were on a purchase list issued before Donald Trump was inaugurated and before Mr. Musk became one of the president’s top advisers.