Macron effect and Trump factor: why Americans could fall behind in fighter jet elections – Switzerland

For American observers, the case was clear: the fact that Federal Councilor Alain Berset participated in the military parade on the French national holiday on July 14 this year at the invitation of President Emanuel Macron could only mean that the French “Rafale “I was fully in the run-down of the new Swiss fighter jet. it is very well located.

France is courting Switzerland, observers concluded. The fact that four Swiss soldiers marching carelessly were allowed to carry the red and white flag over the Place de la Concorde in the military parade, under Macron’s gaze, made clear the close Franco-Helvetic ties to the suspicious competition of fighter jets.

“The French do it very skillfully, they are also very active in the background,” says an American observer. He considers his jet the best solution, but he fears that in the end the French will have the upper hand. Because of the Macron effect.

Four aircraft are in the process of becoming the successor to the F / A-18: Airbus’ Eurofighter, Boeing’s Super Hornet, Lockheed’s F-35, and Dassault’s Rafale. This was seen by many as a favorite from the start, and this assessment has further solidified since then. The other “European”, the Eurofighter, finally represented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, currently has fewer opportunities.

The Trump factor as a competitive disadvantage

This is how the US competition values ​​it, and conversations around it show that they increasingly suffer from another disadvantage: the Trump factor.

Americans envy France for its handsome president Macron, this statesman who confidently defends not only the cause of France, but also the cause of Europe, and therefore Switzerland.

Trump, on the other hand, means a competitive disadvantage in a country like Switzerland. A year ago, manufacturer representatives defended the president midway through a face-to-face meeting. Now Trump’s name is still quietly recognized. References to Trump are avoided in official quotes.

“Corona” in particular has made its mark. Americans in Switzerland are shocked by Trump’s “management” of the crisis, by lies and irresponsibility. Some openly say how happy they are to be able to live in Switzerland.

Although Switzerland is currently evaluating all four planes, price, performance and cooperation count, and the Americans at Lockheed and Boeing believe they stand a good chance. But even if the Trump administration should come up with a better offer than Macron or Merkel for a plane: in the end, decide the route of the message from the army in 2022, the Federal Council and even the parliament on the type of election. So ultimately it’s a political decision.

There is calm before the storm for manufacturers

Preliminary decisions are now falling rapidly. On September 27, voters in Switzerland will say whether the federal government will be able to spend $ 6 billion on new planes. The US presidential elections will follow in November. Representatives of the fighter jet manufacturers will be waiting for Joe Biden. Manufacturers are also required to submit the second and final offer to the Swiss Defense Department in November.

Currently there is calm before the storm. Defense Minister Viola Amherd (CVP) had urged manufacturers not to cause a stir before the referendum. After that, however, the DDPS predicts that manufacturers will go on the advertising offensive with their offerings. Then the open political confrontation begins.