> Portugal ruled out replacing its US-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of Donald Trump — in one of the first examples of the US president killing a potential lucrative arms deal. The country’s air force has recommended buying Lockheed Martin F-35s, but when outgoing Defense Minister Nuno Melo was asked by Portugese media Público whether the government would follow that recommendation, he replied: “We cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices. The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account.”
> With the dramatic realignment taking place under Trump — who said again today he would annex Greenland and threatened Canada — there are fears the US government could decide block access to software updates and spare parts needed to make the F-35 fully operational. “The world has changed and this ally of ours could bring limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios,” Melo said. He added: “There are several options that must be considered, particularly in the context of European production.”
> A spokesperson for the jet-maker said: “Lockheed Martin values our strong partnership and history with the Portuguese Air Force and looks forward to continuing that partnership into the future. The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, enabling 21st Century Security and allied deterrence. Questions about foreign military sales of the F-35 are best addressed by the US government.” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said earlier this week that the Netherlands would not cancel its contract for the jets. However, Lisbon hasn’t signed a deal yet. Portugal is holding a snap election after the collapse of its center-right government.
!ping EUROPE
utalkin_tome on
So much winning. This is just defense side of trade. Now imagine we piss off our allies so much they don’t even bother to buy anything from us at all.
BBQ_HaX0r on
The kids would call that a decline in aggregate demand. That’ll help bring jobs “back” home.
5 Comments
> Portugal ruled out replacing its US-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of Donald Trump — in one of the first examples of the US president killing a potential lucrative arms deal. The country’s air force has recommended buying Lockheed Martin F-35s, but when outgoing Defense Minister Nuno Melo was asked by Portugese media Público whether the government would follow that recommendation, he replied: “We cannot ignore the geopolitical environment in our choices. The recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO must make us think about the best options, because the predictability of our allies is a greater asset to take into account.”
> With the dramatic realignment taking place under Trump — who said again today he would annex Greenland and threatened Canada — there are fears the US government could decide block access to software updates and spare parts needed to make the F-35 fully operational. “The world has changed and this ally of ours could bring limitations to use, maintenance, components, and everything that has to do with ensuring that aircraft will be operational and used in all types of scenarios,” Melo said. He added: “There are several options that must be considered, particularly in the context of European production.”
> A spokesperson for the jet-maker said: “Lockheed Martin values our strong partnership and history with the Portuguese Air Force and looks forward to continuing that partnership into the future. The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, enabling 21st Century Security and allied deterrence. Questions about foreign military sales of the F-35 are best addressed by the US government.” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said earlier this week that the Netherlands would not cancel its contract for the jets. However, Lisbon hasn’t signed a deal yet. Portugal is holding a snap election after the collapse of its center-right government.
!ping EUROPE
So much winning. This is just defense side of trade. Now imagine we piss off our allies so much they don’t even bother to buy anything from us at all.
The kids would call that a decline in aggregate demand. That’ll help bring jobs “back” home.
The art of the deal
>[Interviewer](https://www.publico.pt/2025/03/13/politica/entrevista/nuno-melo-afasta-compra-f35-eua-causa-trump-mundo-ja-mudou-2125727#google_vignette): The Air Force wants the replacement (for the F-16) to be made with F-35s, which are American-made planes. What are you saying is that, due to the change in American foreign policy, it is less likely that Portugal will replace the F-16s with an American plane?
>Nuno Melo: The world has already changed. […]
one guy and two months lead to one hundred years of transatlantic progress down the drain.