President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will lift sanctions on Turkey and consider selling the country F-35 fighter jets [1].
The move signals a major shift in U.S. foreign policy toward a key NATO ally. By removing economic penalties and reopening discussions on advanced military hardware, the administration aims to stabilize a volatile relationship and reinforce the alliance's cohesion amid global instability.
Trump made the announcement July 7 [2] on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey [1]. The decision specifically targets the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, known as CAATSA, which the U.S. imposed on Turkey in 2020 [3].
During the summit, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and emphasized the need for cooperation. "We will lift the sanctions on Turkey and we will consider selling them F-35s," Trump said [1]. He said, "I am pleased to strengthen our relationship with Turkey, a strategic partner" [3].
The potential sale of the F-35 stealth fighters is a particularly significant development. Turkey was previously removed from the program after purchasing missile systems from Russia, a move that led to the 2020 sanctions [3]. Trump said he would "certainly consider" allowing the purchase to proceed [1].
However, the proposal has not been met with universal approval. A Forbes expert said that Trump's proposal to sell F-35s to Turkey is a bad idea [4]. The expert's critique highlights ongoing concerns regarding technology security, and Turkey's independent foreign policy maneuvers.
Trump said the decision was intended to tighten bonds within NATO and strengthen ties with Turkey as a strategic partner [1]. The announcement comes as the alliance begins its summit in the Turkish capital, focusing on geopolitical tensions and collective defense strategies [1].
“"We will lift the sanctions on Turkey and we will consider selling them F-35s."”
The reversal of CAATSA sanctions and the potential restoration of F-35 sales represent a pragmatic pivot to secure Turkey's alignment within NATO. By removing the 2020 penalties, the U.S. is prioritizing strategic stability and regional cooperation over the previous punitive approach to Turkey's defense procurement from Russia.
