US President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Turkey as a crucial American partner and emphasized that objections from Israel or other nations would not influence US decisions on arms sales, including the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. Trump, speaking to reporters while traveling to Michigan, praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and reiterated the strong bond between Washington and Ankara.
Trump made it clear that determinations regarding US arms sales would be made within the US, stating, “Nobody tells me what we should be selling or not.” Despite acknowledging strained relations between Turkey and Israel, Trump commended Turkey’s military capabilities, describing it as a powerful country with significant military strength.
The President’s remarks came ahead of his upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where discussions on Iran and broader Middle East security are anticipated. Trump indicated that despite some differences, he and Netanyahu largely aligned on Iran, emphasizing that recent US military actions had weakened Iran and prompted Tehran to seek negotiations.
Trump also lauded Netanyahu’s leadership during conflicts, noting a substantial decrease in Iran’s capabilities over the past few months. His comments highlighted efforts to maintain positive relations with both Israel and Turkey, underscoring the administration’s commitment to making defense export decisions based on US strategic interests rather than regional partners’ preferences.
