The United States is making a strong push to sell its F-35 fighter jets to Portugal. Portugal is currently looking at options to replace its aging fleet of F-16 planes, and the U.S. hopes they will choose the newer, more advanced American model.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, to discuss these defense plans. During his visit, Rubio called Portugal an "ideal gateway" to Europe for the United States. He emphasized that the U.S. wants to keep a close and strong relationship with the country.

Some people have worried that the U.S. is being too pushy about how much money other countries in NATO—an alliance of Western countries committed to helping each other—should spend on their own defense. However, Rubio dismissed those concerns. He said that the pressure the U.S. puts on its partners to spend more on their own militaries is "not hostile." He described it as a necessary step to keep all the allied nations safe.

While Portugal is looking at the F-35, they are also considering other options. No final decision has been made yet, but the visit from the Secretary of State shows that both countries are eager to keep their military partnership strong.

Source: TWZ