Ottawa: The Canadian government is reviewing its purchase of American F-35 fighter jets following the imposition of heavy tariffs by the U.S. A spokesperson for Canada’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that due to rising tensions with the Trump administration, Canada is reassessing its large-scale procurement of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.
This announcement comes just two days after Portugal also indicated that it is reconsidering its planned purchase of the F-35. The move follows harsh economic tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canada, raising concerns about the stability of the Canadian economy.
After Justin Trudeau stepped down as Prime Minister, the leadership has now passed to Mark Carney, who has hinted at reviewing the multi-billion dollar F-35 deal.
Canadian Government’s Statement
In an email to Defense Ministry spokesperson Laurent de Casanov, Carney stated, “We must determine whether the F-35 deal is the best investment for Canada and explore whether alternative options might better meet our national defense needs.”
Original $19 Billion Deal
In January 2023, Canada signed a $19 billion Canadian dollar ($13.2 billion USD) contract with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin to purchase 88 F-35 jets. Canada has already paid for the first batch of 16 jets, which were scheduled for delivery early next year.
The government clarified that the deal has not been officially canceled but emphasized the need for a strategic reassessment to ensure that it remains in the best interests of Canadian citizens and the country’s armed forces.
