The theory that allied countries purchased the F-35 because they were bullied by the USA into doing so doesn't fit the fact that allied countries refuse to purchase American airplanes all the time.

France makes its own combat airplanes, some of which like the Mirage 2000 and the Rafale are in operation.

Sweden chose to make the Gripen, the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy chose to make the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Japan, well that's a weaker argument because their native fighter is based on an American jet fighter.