Erdogan Seeks F-35 Deal with Trump During White House Visit

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Washington/Ankara — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, aiming to leverage the countries’ warmest ties in years to secure a breakthrough on F-35 fighter jets and other major defense and trade agreements.

This marks Erdogan’s first visit to Washington in nearly six years and comes at a time when Ankara sees an opportunity to reset relations with Washington under Trump, whose transactional approach has opened new channels for cooperation.

Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2020 after purchasing Russian S-400 missile defense systems, triggering U.S. sanctions. Erdogan now hopes that Trump, who has cultivated a more conciliatory approach toward Moscow, will allow Ankara back into the program.

“Despite resistance from Congress, an F-35 deal is possible if there is strong political will on both sides,” said Timur Soylemez, a former Turkish ambassador.

Trump himself expressed optimism ahead of the meeting, saying he expected F-35 talks to conclude positively.

U.S. officials confirmed that Washington recently drafted a statement of intent for arms sales to Turkey, including 40 new F-16s with advanced modifications. However, F-35s remain excluded due to legal restrictions linked to the S-400 issue.

Ankara is also seeking to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, a move that has already drawn objections from Greece and Israel. Turkey argues the acquisitions are essential to bolster its air power across the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Black Sea, where tensions with Russia and regional rivals remain high.

While Trump and Erdogan have found alignment on Syria, their positions diverge sharply on Israel’s war in Gaza. Erdogan has accused Israel of committing “genocide” and warned world leaders at the UN that silence on Gaza equates to complicity.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded by downplaying such remarks, saying world leaders “can say what they want” but still seek U.S. approval when pursuing major deals.

Beyond defense, trade talks are expected to feature prominently. Trump is set to highlight Turkey’s plans to purchase more than 200 Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s, along with around $10 billion in GE aircraft engines. Turkish Airlines is leading the negotiations, signaling a potential boost for U.S. aerospace exports.

For Turkey, the meeting offers a chance to restore its role as a key partner in Western defense supply chains and expand its air fleet. For Trump, it represents another opportunity to frame U.S. diplomacy as deal-driven and transactional, blending defense cooperation with high-value commercial agreements.

Whether the talks produce a breakthrough on F-35s remains uncertain, but the meeting underscores a strategic reset in U.S.-Turkey relations after years of friction.

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