So... (1) Can I equip Expert Handling to a T70 with Foils closed? Or does a link Red BR not qualify?

(2) If I can, would I then always have a BR?

official squad builder says no.

Quote

Action: If there is an action icon, this upgrade can be equipped only to a
ship with that action on its action bar. This does not include actions on its
linked action bar.

No on both counts: has to be on the action bar, and linked are excluded.

33 minutes ago, Spinland said:

Action: If there is an action icon, this upgrade can be equipped only to a
ship with that action on its action bar. This does not include actions on its
linked action bar.

No on both counts: has to be on the action bar, and linked are excluded.

Rules Reference pg 22, btw.

As folks have said, linked actions don't count, so the T-70 doesn't have a Red Barrel Roll.

I friggin' wish dude.