Trump's visit to the Middle East: Will Turkey be included?
If the plan is realized, Donald Trump will visit Turkey for the first time in May as part of his Middle East tour. Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush visited Turkey in 2004, followed by Barack Obama in 2009 and 2015.
In a statement made by the White House on Friday regarding President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East in May, it was said, "There may be other countries as part of this trip," concerning Turkey's inclusion. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt responded to the question, "Is President Trump planning to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House or in Turkey?" by saying, "I currently have no details regarding the President's overseas travel other than to say he will be going to Saudi Arabia." A senior White House official speaking to CNN on Thursday indicated that Trump was considering adding Turkey to his Middle East itinerary. It was reported that the planned visit to Turkey would take place after stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). If it occurs, it will be Trump's first visit to Turkey. Former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush visited Turkey in 2004, followed by Barack Obama in 2009 and 2015. Trump had previously spoken positively about his relationship with President Erdoğan. Meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, the U.S. President said, "I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and its leaders." Describing Erdoğan as "a tough guy, very smart, and someone who did something that no one else could do," Trump said he believed Turkey played a role in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.
U.S.-Turkey Relations In recent years, relations between Turkey and the U.S. have been strained due to various issues, including policy differences in the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria, and Gaza, as well as Turkey's purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia. This led to U.S. sanctions and Turkey's removal from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019. Subsequently, Ankara sought to procure 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits from Washington. This agreement was approved after Turkey consented to Sweden's NATO membership, and these developments led to a thaw in relations. Erdoğan also emphasized Turkey's advantageous position in terms of supply chains, citing cooperation in the production and supply of 155 mm ammunition, which is crucial in the Ukraine-Russia war, as an example. Washington has also imposed sanctions on some Turkish individuals and companies for violating sanctions against Russia. Under CAATSA, sanctions on four officials, including the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and then-SSB President Ismail Demir, were enacted in 2021 due to "relations with Russia." Turkey supports Ukraine but opposes sanctions against Moscow.