Saturday, March 29, 2025
Washington, Sept 25, 2025 – After warming ties with Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump is now set to host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, marking Erdogan’s first visit since 2019. The meeting is being viewed as a significant step toward reshaping U.S.-Turkey relations, strained for years over defense, security, and regional disputes.
Trump has hinted that the United States may lift its long-standing ban on selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Washington expelled Ankara from the F-35 program during Trump’s first term after Turkey purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense system, sparking fears that sensitive F-35 data could be compromised and shared with Moscow.
In a recent social media post, Trump said his administration is working with Erdogan on several “major trade and military deals,” including a large Boeing purchase, an expanded F-16 package, and continued discussions on F-35s. He added, “We hope this ends on a positive note.”
Erdogan, speaking in a Fox News interview earlier this week, criticized the ban as unfair, arguing: “I don’t think it’s appropriate for a strategic partnership, and I don’t think it’s the right path.” Turkish officials also pointed out that Ankara has already paid $1.4 billion toward the jets.
The talks come at a delicate moment. Turkey has faced criticism from U.S. officials over its human rights record and closer cooperation with Russia, as well as tensions with Israel over Gaza and Syria. During Operation Sindoor earlier this year, Turkey’s drones were reportedly used in attempted strikes against Indian targets, further souring relations between Ankara and New Delhi.
Despite these frictions, both sides see strategic value in renewing defense cooperation. For Turkey, access to F-35s would bolster its air power, while Washington views Ankara as a key NATO ally in a volatile region.
The Erdogan visit follows Trump’s unusual decision to host Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House earlier this week – the first time a U.S. president has welcomed a Pakistani military chief without senior civilian leaders present.
On Thursday, Trump is also scheduled to meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, weeks after both governments struck a new trade agreement. U.S. officials stressed that Washington is working with Pakistan on counterterrorism, trade, and regional stability, while strengthening ties with Turkey simultaneously.
The Trump-Erdogan summit could decide whether the U.S. lifts restrictions on 35 advanced F-35 jets for Turkey. Any move forward would not only reshape bilateral defense ties but also carry implications for NATO, Russia, and regional security in the Middle East.
