Portugal could replace its ageing American-made F-16 fighter jets with European jets rather than F-35s following U.S. President Donald Trump's policy shifts, the country's defence ministry said on Friday.

Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo, who will soon leave his post, announced the cancellation of plans to purchase American F-35 fighter jets to replace the country's fleet of F-16s. He attributed this decision to the policies of US President Donald Trump,

Donald Trump immediately initiated a trade war at the start of his second term in the White House. The US imposes extreme trade tariffs and faces retaliatory tariffs in return. An explosive ping pong game.

Portugal has slid back into more political uncertainty after its third government fell in as many years when Prime Minister Luis Montenegro lost a confidence vote in Parliament.

Portugal's president has announced that the country will hold an early general election on May 18. His announcement Thursday came two days after a minority government lost a confidence vote in parliament and stood down.

Portugal is likely to face its third early parliamentary election in just over three years after the centre-right minority government lost a parliamentary confidence vote.