Swiss Politicians Push to Cancel F-35 Fighter-Jet Deal After US Tariffs
The usually placid waters of Swiss-US relations have hit a rough patch, and it’s now threatening to sink a multi-billion dollar defense contract. Swiss politicians, surprisingly unified across the political spectrum, are making serious moves to scrap an order for three dozen F-35A fighter jets from US defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. The catalyst? President Donald Trump’s decision to slap some of the world’s harshest tariffs on Switzerland, turning a routine defense procurement into a hot-button issue.
What's particularly striking here isn't just the potential cancellation of a significant defense deal, but the clear, direct link being drawn between US trade policy and a sovereign nation's procurement decisions. For a country like Switzerland, known for its pragmatic neutrality and robust, if sometimes quiet, international business dealings, this is a very public and pointed reaction. The argument from Bern is straightforward: if Washington is going to impose punitive levies that hurt Swiss industries, why should the Swiss taxpayer fund a massive purchase from an American defense conglomerate? It’s a classic case of economic leverage backfiring.
This isn't merely political posturing; there's real financial and strategic weight behind these calls. The F-35A deal, part of Switzerland's broader air defense modernization program, represents a substantial investment. Canceling it would, of course, have implications for Lockheed Martin's order book, but it also forces Switzerland to re-evaluate its defense strategy and potentially look to European alternatives like the Eurofighter Typhoon or France's Rafale. It highlights a growing trend where trade disputes are no longer confined to specific goods but are spilling over into high-stakes, strategic sectors like defense, complicating an already intricate geopolitical chess game.
For Lockheed Martin, while the Swiss order isn't their largest, it's still a blow, especially as the F-35 program aims for wider international adoption. Every cancellation, or even serious threat of one, can create ripple effects, potentially influencing other hesitant buyers. It also underscores the inherent risks for global defense contractors when the political winds shift, particularly in an era of heightened economic nationalism and protectionism. What's more interesting is how this Swiss push might embolden other nations feeling the pinch of US trade policies to leverage their own purchasing power.
Meanwhile, the situation puts pressure on both the US and Swiss governments. For Washington, it's a test of whether its "America First" trade agenda is worth alienating key allies and losing out on lucrative contracts. For Bern, it's about balancing national security needs with economic sovereignty and political will. The coming months will tell if this is a temporary political maneuver or a definitive turning point for the F-35 deal and, indeed, for future US-Swiss economic relations.
