Trump Hosts Erdogan; Turkey Seeks F‑35 Readmission

President Donald Trump will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House Thursday — Erdoğan's first U.S. visit in about six years — as both leaders seek to deepen military and trade ties. Ankara is pressing Washington to lift sanctions and be readmitted to the F-35 program after its 2019 expulsion, and Turkish officials say they have already paid roughly $1.4 billion toward the jets. Talks are expected to include a package of defense and commercial deals, including possible Boeing and F-16 sales and expanded energy cooperation, notably increased U.S. LNG purchases. Any effort to reinstate Turkey in the F-35 program faces strong opposition from Israel and some members of Congress, and Erdoğan's sharp criticism of Israel over Gaza — including calling its offensive genocide — could complicate negotiations.