• Defense and Trade Talks: Presidents Trump and Erdoğan are discussing major deals, including F-16 fighter jet sales and a 200+ aircraft purchase from Boeing, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties.
  • Technology Transfer Focus: A potential shift in Turkish strategy could prioritize acquiring advanced jet engine technology to support its domestic KAAN fighter program over simply buying more warplanes.
  • Persistent Hurdles: Despite the warming tone, significant legal and political barriers remain, primarily Turkey's retention of Russian S-400 missile systems, which bars it from the F-35 program.

President Donald Trump praised Turkey for its use of U.S. military equipment and expressed a strong willingness to advance trade relations during a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Washington. The talks, which included a planned lunch, centered on revitalizing defense and commercial cooperation after years of strain.

Central to the discussions are potential deals involving new F-16 fighter jets and upgrades for Turkey's existing fleet. However, people familiar with the matter caution that existing legal barriers, specifically the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), prevent Turkey's readmission to the F-35 program as long as it retains the Russian S-400 air defense systems.

In a notable strategic pivot, Turkish officials may propose prioritizing access to advanced jet engine technology over additional warplane purchases. This move is seen as an effort to bolster Turkey's indigenous KAAN stealth fighter project and could potentially lay the groundwork for future reintegration into Western fighter jet programs. The success of this proposal hinges on securing U.S. export licenses, which have been a persistent hurdle.

Beyond defense, the commercial relationship is also in focus. Turkish Airlines is negotiating to buy more than 200 aircraft from Boeing, a massive deal that Trump is expected to spotlight as a win for American manufacturing. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the Turkish delegation for comment on the specifics of the Boeing deal were not immediately successful.

The talks represent a delicate balancing act. While Trump appears open to deeper cooperation, Congressional opposition remains a formidable obstacle due to Turkey’s military relationship with Russia. The discussions also come as Turkey’s defense exports have surged, hitting $5.85 billion so far in 2025, aided by co-production strategies that offer partners more autonomy than traditional Western suppliers.

This article was updated to clarify that CAATSA sanctions were imposed on Turkey in 2020.