Erdogan Pushes for F-35 Breakthrough in White House Talks with Trump

 Trump and Erdogan - both seen as increasingly autocratic by their critics at home - had a checkered relationship during the Republican president's first term.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, aiming to revive Turkey’s role in the F-35 fighter jet program. The high-stakes visit marks Erdogan’s first trip to Washington in six years and comes amid renewed efforts to reset U.S.-Turkey relations.

Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2020 after acquiring Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, a move that triggered U.S. sanctions. Ankara, however, has continued to press for access to the advanced jets, noting it had already invested $1.4 billion in the project.

Trump has signaled openness to revisiting the issue, stating he expects the talks to “conclude positively.” Analysts caution that U.S. law still blocks F-35 sales while Turkey retains the S-400s, but both leaders appear eager to explore a path forward.

Beyond defense, the meeting is expected to cover trade, energy, and regional conflicts, with Erdogan positioning Turkey as a key player in Middle Eastern and European security. While tensions remain over Gaza and Ankara’s ties with Moscow, the talks highlight a pragmatic, transactional approach between the two leaders.