DefenseCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to review the deal for 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets if he wins the April 28 general election.
The statement, made during a campaign in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is the latest step in the trade war with the United States after the country’s president Donald Trump began a series of verbal attacks on the country.
The Republican, who has been in office for just two months, has also decided to impose additional taxes on Canadian products and threatened to annex the country.
Antipathy towards Trump has led most Canadians to change their tendency to vote for the Conservative Party and give another chance to the Liberals, led by Carney, who took over the party leadership on March 9 from then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced on March 14 that the ministry would seek alternatives to the F-35 fighter jets.
According to Carney, the Pentagon-brokered deal will not be canceled, but rather ‘adjusted.’ At least 16 stealth jets will be delivered, however, as they are in the production stages for delivery starting in 2026.
“We have alternatives to the F-35 so we will explore those, as the ministers of defense and procurement will explore how the F 35 program could be adjusted, including greater investment here in Canada, greater production here in Canada,” the Prime Minister said.
The 5th generation F-35 fighter has racked up several recent victories, especially in Europe, where it has outperformed aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Saab Gripen, which are 4.5 generation.
The stress caused by the Trump administration, including its vice president, J.D. Vance, a fierce critic of the European Union, has raised alarm bells for the continent’s leaders, who are now seeking greater independence in defense.
