Swiss lawmakers call for cancellation of F-35 deal after US slaps harsh tariffs

Swiss lawmakers from across the political spectrum are urging the government to scrap a multibillion-franc order for 36 F-35A fighter jets from US defence giant Lockheed Martin, following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose one of the steepest tariff regimes in the developed world on Switzerland.

According to Bloomberg, calls to either withdraw from or reevaluate the planned acquisition — which could cost up to 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($9.1 billion) — have intensified in Bern. This comes after the Trump administration implemented a 39% tariff on Swiss exports, sparking outrage among politicians already sceptical of the deal.

The fighter jet purchase has been under scrutiny for weeks after Swiss authorities acknowledged a “misunderstanding” with Washington over the actual cost of the aircraft.

“A country that throws stones at us in trade shouldn’t receive a gift,” said Green Party lawmaker Balthasar Glättli. He had already submitted a formal motion in the spring to halt the procurement, which is expected to be debated in parliament as early as September.

Social Democratic co-leader Cedric Wermuth echoed the sentiment, calling for a fresh public vote. “The population should have the chance to stop the procurement,” he stated in an email to Bloomberg.

While the pushback is driven primarily by left-leaning parties, last week’s tariff escalation has expanded opposition to the deal beyond ideological lines. Many now question whether purchasing aircraft from Lockheed Martin remains appropriate amid changing geopolitical circumstances.

The 36 jets ordered by Switzerland amount to about one-third of Lockheed Martin’s total F-35 deliveries in 2024. The company has already faced a tough financial year, taking a $1.6 billion charge in its July earnings report and seeing the Pentagon slash its planned F-35 orders for fiscal year 2026 while increasing investments in competing defence programs.

Hans-Peter Portmann, a Liberal Party lawmaker and member of the same party as Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, questioned public tolerance for paying more than expected for the jets, especially after the tariff hike. “I don’t know how our people will accept the purchase of F-35 fighter jets at prices higher than originally assumed — especially after the American tariff shock,” he said.

Portmann suggested the government should seriously consider “a complete or partial halt to the contract,” even if that meant incurring losses. He proposed that Switzerland explore alternative defence options through deeper cooperation with European allies.

The fighter jet debate is unfolding against a broader shift in Swiss security policy. Historically limited by domestic laws barring arms exports to conflict zones such as Ukraine, Switzerland has now pledged to source at least 30% of its defence procurement from Europe. It is also seeking closer security cooperation with the European Union.

Trump’s 39% tariff on Swiss exports — which include luxury watches and Nespresso coffee capsules — dwarfs the 15% rate imposed on neighbouring EU countries. The Swiss government failed in its last-minute attempt to persuade Trump to reduce the rate, making Switzerland the hardest-hit developed country under the new trade measures.

The idea of using the F-35 purchase as a diplomatic tool in negotiations with Washington is also now under threat. Some officials had previously hoped that maintaining or even expanding the order could placate Trump, as military deals have often played a role in his trade diplomacy.

Amid the escalating tensions, Swiss President Keller-Sutter made an emergency trip to Washington, where she met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as interim national security adviser. Following the meeting, the US State Department said both sides had “reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.”

By Tamilla Hasanova