Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described his meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump as a milestone in resolving longstanding bilateral challenges, emphasizing advancements in trade, defense cooperation, and regional stability during their first White House discussion in six years.
Trade and Defense Take Center Stage
Erdogan highlighted progress toward a $100 billion bilateral trade goal, including potential revisions to customs duties. The leaders also addressed Türkiye's request to rejoin the F-35 program and acquire F-16 jets, a contentious issue since the U.S. removed Türkiye from the fighter jet initiative in 2019 over its purchase of Russian defense systems.
Boeing Deal Signals Economic Thaw
In a tangible outcome of the talks, Turkish Airlines announced a provisional agreement to purchase 75 Boeing 787 aircraft and finalized negotiations for 150 Boeing 737 MAX jets, pending engine discussions. The deal marks a significant step in revitalizing economic ties.
Middle East Peace Efforts Discussed
Erdogan stated both leaders reached a "shared understanding" on achieving a Gaza ceasefire and advancing a two-state solution for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The talks also touched on energy security, with Türkiye signing a civil nuclear cooperation memorandum, though oil-related discussions were absent from official summaries.
The meeting unfolded against lingering tensions, including U.S. sanctions and NATO disagreements over Russian energy imports. Kremlin officials reaffirmed ongoing Russia-Türkiye cooperation following the dialogue.
