True, but it could be a big thing for the Brazilians so don’t discount the theory out of hand.
Supplying aircraft to the USAF, even if it’s just a “handful of Super Tucanos” would be a very big deal prestige-wise and would give that company immense clout when it comes to negotiating other sales.
Besides, it’s an easy condition to add to the list from their side of the deal.
Prestige is an abstract concept. The COIN market is very small and the Super Tucano is pretty much acknowledged as the leader in that segment;sure a USAF purchase would be a crowning achievement but a lot of countries with such a requirement will want to buy it any way.