Canada Reconsiders Purchase of U.S. F-35 Fighter Jets... Responding to Trump’s Pressure?

Canada has decided to reconsider the purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, AFP and Bloomberg reported on the 15th (local time).

According to a spokesperson for the Canadian Department of National Defence, newly appointed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney instructed Defence Minister Bill Blair the day before to "examine whether the F-35 contract, as it currently stands, is the best investment for Canada and if there are better options that meet Canada’s needs."

In 2023, Canada signed a contract with U.S. company Lockheed Martin to acquire 88 F-35 fighter jets for 19 billion Canadian dollars (19.2 trillion Korean won) as part of replacing its aging fighter fleet. Canada has already paid for 16 F-35 jets scheduled for delivery next year.

The Canadian Department of National Defence spokesperson stated that the contract has not been canceled but emphasized, "Considering the changing environment, we need to ensure that the current form of the contract serves the best interests of Canadians and the Royal Canadian Air Force."

This reconsideration comes amid escalating security and economic tensions between the U.S. and Canada. Earlier, the Donald Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports on the 4th, but two days later, it suspended the 25% tariff on items covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), including automobiles, until July 2.

As a first-stage response, Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports worth 30 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 30 trillion Korean won), and these tariffs remain in place.

Additionally, since the 12th, the Trump administration began imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products worldwide. As the largest exporter of these two products to the U.S., Canada implemented retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products worth 29.8 billion Canadian dollars (approximately 30 trillion Korean won) starting on the 13th and requested dispute consultations with the U.S. at the World Trade Organization (WTO). President Trump has repeatedly publicly provoked Canada by stating even before his inauguration that Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S.

Prime Minister Carney emphasized his determination not to succumb to President Trump’s threats during a press conference shortly after taking office, stating, "Canada will never, in any way, form, or manner, become part of the United States."

Meanwhile, on the 14th, Portugal was also reported to have postponed its purchase of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets due to concerns about potential future changes in its relationship with the U.S.