Trump Praises Erdogan: 'There Is Chemistry Between Us'

United States President Donald Trump repeatedly praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan upon arriving in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, to attend the NATO summit. Trump openly called Erdogan a strong and tough leader. Trump was personally greeted by Erdogan on the airport tarmac as he disembarked from the US presidential aircraft, Air Force One, on Tuesday. A grand state ceremony then welcomed Trump, with white cavalry troops escorting his motorcade to the Turkish presidential palace. Trump’s visit marks the first by a US President to Turkey in 11 years. This summit meeting took place amid a tense situation for the 77-year-old NATO alliance, given Trump’s frequent harsh criticism of NATO allies and Washington’s withdrawal from engagements in Europe. The US President again voiced his disappointment with NATO upon arriving in Ankara. However, Trump also praised Erdogan, who hosted him at the Turkish presidential palace. He even said that US-Turkey relations had never been this good. “I am very disappointed with NATO. Frankly, if this summit were not held in Turkey, where my friend here is a very strong and tough leader, I probably would not have attended,” Trump told reporters at the Turkish presidential palace, with Erdogan seated beside him. “There is chemistry between us,” the US President said, praising his relationship with Erdogan. This warmth marks a dramatic shift in relations between the two countries, which had previously felt distant during the administration of former US President Joe Biden. NATO officials hope the close relationship between Trump and Erdogan can help ease tensions triggered by issues related to Iran. On the other hand, the warming relations with Trump could potentially provide a major boost for Erdogan. Trump said the US would consider selling US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, after previously removing Ankara from the programme in 2019 due to the country’s decision to purchase a Russian defence system. “In many ways, Turkey is far more loyal than other countries we thought would be loyal… It’s a great plane, the best plane, by far the best plane today. And that is certainly something we will consider,” Trump said. Turkey has long sought to resolve issues in the F-35 procurement programme and the lifting of US sanctions that damaged bilateral relations and hampered various of Ankara’s defence projects. Turkey hopes Trump’s visit can break the deadlock. Erdogan expects positive results regarding Ankara’s desire to buy F-35s from the US. “We have discussed this previously with the US and were promised five fighter jets. I know that Mr Trump always keeps his promises,” he said. “Trump has also given us a personal guarantee on this matter,” Erdogan stated.