US President Donald Trump has dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objections to the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. He stressed that the United States makes its own defence decisions without outside influence. His remarks highlighted Washington’s continued interest in strengthening ties with Ankara despite regional disagreements.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump said, “Nobody tells me what we should be selling.” He also described Türkiye as a “tremendous ally” that has done a “very good job” in regional matters, including Syria. Although he acknowledged that Ankara is “not a big fan” of Israel or Netanyahu, he said relations between the United States and Türkiye remain strong.
Trump Signals Openness to Restoring F-35 Sales
During the recent NATO summit in Türkiye, Trump indicated that he would “certainly consider” restoring F-35 sales to Ankara. He also described Türkiye as being “much more loyal than other countries,” suggesting a positive shift in Washington’s position.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Trump’s comments. He said the US president had taken a “positive approach” regarding the possible delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
Trump’s latest remarks also supported earlier media reports claiming he was unhappy with Netanyahu’s public criticism of the proposed fighter jet sale.
Türkiye Maintains F-35 Suspension Was Unfair
The United States removed Türkiye from the F-35 programme in 2019 after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defence system. Washington argued that the Russian system could compromise the security of the advanced fighter jets.
However, Türkiye has consistently rejected that claim. Ankara insists the S-400 and F-35 systems can operate safely together. It also proposed a joint commission to examine the issue. Furthermore, Turkish officials argue that the country fulfilled all programme obligations and that its suspension violated established rules. They maintain that restoring the F-35 partnership would strengthen both Türkiye’s defence capabilities and NATO’s collective security.
