EU, Canada: We don’t need F-35As!
・Europe is furious at Trump’s remarks about Canada annexing Greenland
・Momentum growing that “European defense should be supported by European weapons”
Summary from Vehicle News.
It’s too late!: “We don’t need F-35A fighter jets”:
The Trump administration is mediating the fight between Russia and Ukraine.
1. However, Trump’s pro-Russia stance has earned him the animosity of European countries.
2. Trump also publicly declared that Canada and Denmark would annex Greenland.
Europe and Canada are strongly opposed to the Trump administration’s foreign policy.
Review of European F-35A procurement:
Since the Trump administration, European countries and Canada have begun to reject the F-35A.
1. A notable example is the Portuguese government’s withdrawal of its plan to procure F-35A fighter jets.
2. Switzerland and other countries will also review their F-35A procurement plans.
Belgium Ministry of Defense: Theo Franken, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense:
We plan to continue procuring F-35As.
1. We would like to introduce “finally assembled aircraft (made in Europe) at the Cameri plant in Italy” for the undelivered aircraft.
2. In other words, it is not “finally assembled aircraft (made in the United States) at the Fort Worth plant in the United States.”
If Trump raises tariffs, we won’t be able to buy fighter jets!
The Trump administration has indicated its intention to impose large tariffs on countries around the world.
1. “We want to impose additional tariffs on each country while also promoting arms exports.” This is a cunning idea.
2. However, Trump’s tariffs are causing a decline in the purchase of American-made weapons.
Trump’s FMS reform: FMS=Foreign Military Sales:
The Trump administration will simplify export procedures for foreign countries in the future.
On April 9, 2025, he signed a presidential decree to simplify the paperwork.
What is FMS:
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, not the manufacturer, will act as the direct export window.
Advantages of FMS:
The price is lower because the transactions are larger than when placing individual orders with manufacturers.
The advantage is that the U.S. military provides education and training.
Disadvantages of FMS:
On the other hand, FMS’s administrative processing is slow, so deliveries are delayed by years.
In addition, the price is fixed based on the initial estimate, and the price is affected by exchange rate fluctuations.
Philippines to introduce F-16V fighter jets:
1. The Philippines has decided to introduce F-16V fighter jets from the United States.
2. The U.S. government has also approved exports to the Philippines.
Philippines: Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez:
If the Trump administration raises the initial tariff rate, the Philippine economy will worsen.
On April 10, they expressed concern that “it would cause problems in procuring F-16Vs.”
Vietnam and the US enter negotiations to acquire F-16s:
Newsweek (19FortyFive) published an article.
It reported that negotiations between Vietnam and the US to acquire F-16 fighter jets are close to being concluded.
1. Even if Vietnam were to acquire F-16s, there are no suitable used aircraft available.
2. They expressed the view that the F-16Vs would be expensive due to their high performance.
If the US were to impose heavy tariffs on Vietnam, it would be impossible for Vietnam to acquire the F-16Vs.