Trump Dismisses Netanyahu’s Objection to Turkey F-35 Sale, Praises Ankara as ‘Tremendous Ally’
US President Donald Trump on Monday rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, asserting that no foreign leader would dictate America’s defence sales. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “Nobody tells me what we should be selling,” while describing Turkey as a “tremendous ally” and a “very powerful country” with a formidable military.
The US president acknowledged that Ankara is “not a big fan” of either Israel or Netanyahu but maintained that Turkey had been “great” for him personally.
Netanyahu Raises Security Concerns
Trump’s remarks came as Netanyahu arrived in Washington for high-level talks centred on Iran, regional security and US-Israel relations. In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu disclosed that he had urged Trump not to move ahead with the F-35 sale after the US president indicated his administration was considering reversing restrictions imposed during his first term.
The Israeli prime minister argued that providing America’s most advanced fighter jets to Turkey would pose a strategic risk, saying Ankara was not behaving like a dependable US ally. Pointing to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Netanyahu said he had openly threatened Israel and warned that strengthening Turkey’s air force could destabilise the region.
“He threatens to destroy my country, the one and only Jewish state,” Netanyahu said.
He further alleged that Turkey’s leadership was aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood and cautioned that an F-35 sale would undermine the military balance in the Middle East.
Trump Signals Review of Restrictions
The exchange follows Trump’s indication that his administration will soon decide whether to approve the F-35 sale despite a congressional ban linked to Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system. Trump also said sanctions imposed over the S-400 acquisition would be lifted.
Calling the F-35 “the best plane by far,” Trump said the proposed deal was “certainly something we will consider.”
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara believes it is close to securing an agreement with Washington for F-35 fighter jets as well as US-made engines for Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter programme.
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