Swiss politicians demand to cancel the purchase of F-35 fighters after the new US tariffs.
The discomfort between Switzerland and the United States has accentuated in recent days, after Washington announced the imposition of 39 % tariffs on Swiss products. The measure has caused a strong political reaction in Bern, where several representatives of Parliament have formally requested the Cancellation of the Purchase Contract for F-35A Combat Aircraft to the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
According to the Bloomberg agency, the agreement has returned to the center of the national debate, not only because of the gesture of commercial tension between the two countries, but also because of the cost climbing that the project could suffer. The contract, initially signed by 7.5 billion Swiss francscould be more expensive up to 1.3 billion moreaccording to recent estimates.
“A country that launches stones should not receive gifts from us,” said a spokesman for the Green Partythat I had already promoted a bill to cancel the purchase. This legislative proposal will be foreseeably debated in the Autumn Parliamentary Session.
To this position the co -president of the Social Democratic Partywho has requested the celebration of a New referendum that allows citizens to decide on the continuity of the contract, on a subject that generates controversy since its inception.
The F-35A are considered one of the most advanced fighters in the world, and their acquisition was raised as a strategic renewal for the Swiss armed forces. However, the latest events have transformed the operation into a symbol of geopolitical dependence and commercial inequality.
For many political sectors in Switzerland, maintaining the contract under these conditions would be unacceptable, both for economic reasons and for a matter of principles. Meanwhile, the debate remains open and will intensify as the new parliamentary session approaches.
