LONDON

A Swiss lawmaker has called for a review of the procurement of F-35 fighter jets from the US, a move prompted by Washington's decision to impose a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland.

Hans-Peter Portmann has submitted a motion to the Swiss House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, demanding a review of the procurement of F-35 fighter jets from the US, according to a report by the Swiss Info website on Monday.

Citing the Swiss news agency SDA, the report said that for Portmann, the F-35 fighter jets have now become a "political business again."

It came after the US recently announced that it would impose a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland.

In response to the decision, the Swiss government said Monday that it is ready to present a "more attractive offer" in negotiations with the US over tariffs, with no plans for any countermeasures.

"Either we accept a loss and break off the contract – or we only purchase what we have already paid for, stop the next delivery instalments from the US, and fill our defense gaps with procurements from Europe," said Portmann as quoted by the report.

In June, the US and Switzerland had a different understanding of the fixed price for the 36 fighter aircraft to be procured due to a "misunderstanding" that would bring additional costs of $650 million to $1.3 billion.

In response to Anadolu's question about the review of the procurement of F-35 fighter jets, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said Tuesday via e-mail that they are unable to provide any information on this matter "for tactical reasons."

The purchase of F-35 fighter jets was narrowly approved in the 2020 Swiss referendum with 50.1% of the vote, but recent surveys and public sentiment indicate that support for the procurement has significantly decreased.

According to a Tamedia/Leewas online poll, conducted earlier this year, two‑thirds of Swiss citizens oppose the purchase.

Meanwhile, Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and Vice President Guy Parmelin are traveling to the US to hold talks on tariffs.