Erdoğan to Meet Trump at White House on September 25: F-16, F-35, Trade and Gaza on the Agenda

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on September 25, in a high-profile visit expected to focus on defense industry cooperation, trade deals, and regional diplomacy. The meeting marks Erdoğan’s first visit to Washington since 2019 and comes amid renewed negotiations over F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as diplomatic tension over Gaza.

Trump: “Erdoğan and I Have Always Had a Very Good Relationship”

President Trump announced the meeting via social media, saying he looked forward to hosting Erdoğan and reaffirming their personal rapport.

“I am pleased to welcome President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the White House on September 25. We have always had a very good relationship,” Trump stated.

He added that the meeting would address several “major trade and military agreements,” including:

• A large-scale purchase of Boeing aircraft

• A new F-16 fighter jet deal

• The continuation of F-35 program talks, which Trump expects will end positively

The announcement is being interpreted by analysts as a signal that bilateral ties may be entering a phase of strategic recalibration after years of turbulence.

Erdoğan: “Our Shared Vision for Peace Will Guide the Talks”

President Erdoğan echoed Trump’s optimism, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that the summit would be a chance to deepen cooperation in key sectors like trade, investment, and defense.

“I believe that my meeting with President Trump will contribute to ending wars and conflicts in our region within the framework of our shared global vision for peace and will further strengthen cooperation between our countries,” Erdoğan stated.

F-35 Program Back in Play?

One of the most sensitive issues on the agenda is the future of Türkiye’s involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program. The U.S. suspended Türkiye’s participation in 2019 after Ankara acquired Russian S-400 air defense systems. Washington argued that S-400s posed a risk to NATO security and the F-35’s stealth capabilities.

Türkiye has rejected that argument, proposing an independent commission to evaluate the issue and asserting that it had fulfilled all obligations under the F-35 framework. Ankara maintains that exclusion from the program was a violation of international agreements and harms NATO interoperability.

Recent signals from both sides suggest that a return to the negotiating table may be possible, especially if framed within broader strategic cooperation.

F-16 Sale and Boeing Agreement in Focus

Alongside F-35 talks, Erdoğan is also seeking to modernize Türkiye’s existing fleet of F-16s and purchase new-generation aircraft and upgrade kits. Congress has remained divided on approving the deal, but high-level diplomacy could break the deadlock.

In addition, a major order of Boeing passenger jets by Turkish Airlines or other Turkish carriers is expected to be finalized, which would not only boost the U.S. aerospace industry but also strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Gaza Tensions Linger

Despite the renewed optimism, stark policy differences remain, particularly on the Gaza conflict. Türkiye has rejected Trump’s proposal to remove over 2 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and rebrand it as the “Riviera of the Middle East” under U.S. influence.

Ankara has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and has urged international sanctions on the Israeli government. The issue may surface in the talks as a point of diplomatic contention, reflecting deeper divergences on Middle East policy.

A Reset in U.S.-Türkiye Relations?

This summit may offer a rare opportunity to reset Türkiye-U.S. relations, which have been strained in recent years due to disputes over Syria, defense procurement, human rights, and regional alliances.

While Trump and Erdoğan have maintained cordial personal relations, critics have argued that bilateral ties require more than strongman diplomacy. Institutional trust, legislative alignment, and long-term security interests will likely determine whether any breakthroughs from this meeting can be sustained.

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