Trump hints at F-35 sale to Turkey, pushes $700m engine deal despite Congress objections

Oval Office remarks

Trump, alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, said he would attend the NATO summit in Ankara as a sign of respect for President Erdogan. When asked about F-35s and engines, he replied:

“I think yes.”

He added he would

“probably do something”

that would make Erdogan

“very happy.”

Trump praised Turkey's military strength, saying people don't realize how powerful it is.

The $700 million engine package

The administration plans to sell dozens of General Electric engines to power the Kaan, Turkey's first indigenous fighter jet, a program launched in 2016. Reuters reported the deal is worth over $700 million, citing four sources. The sale is expected to be finalized in the coming days, followed by a State Department notification to Congress. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had publicly complained about delays nearly a year ago.

Congressional resistance

Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has objected during the informal review process and has not approved the package, according to two sources including a US official. Despite this, the administration is moving forward. Vice President JD Vance said the administration is verifying that Turkey has met legal requirements, including on human rights and rule of law, before any F-35 transfer.

“We are checking the facts and confirming that this has happened. It is essentially a congressional matter, to ensure Turkey has complied with US law so it can receive the F-35s.”

NATO summit and regional tensions

Turkey will host NATO leaders on July 7-8 amid alliance tensions over burden-sharing, defense spending, and US criticism of allies' role in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open during the US-Iran war. Trump said he would not attend the summit if it were not for Erdogan, joking with Rutte. The president also wants Turkey's support for a Syrian Arab Army operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah, without a conflict of interest between the US and Iran.

The F-35 and S-400 legacy

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program and sanctioned after purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems, which the US considers a security threat. The engine deal and Trump's hints point to a potential thaw, though congressional hurdles remain. Trump interrupted Vance to say Erdogan

“is a man who causes some controversies, but so do I. I know him though. I think he is a very good man. He has helped us a lot.”