Key facts
- President Trump announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey.
- The sanctions were imposed due to Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems.
- Trump also indicated a willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
- Congressional approval is required for the F-35 sale and may face significant resistance.
- Turkey was previously removed from the F-35 program following its S-400 acquisition.
President Donald Trump stated his intention to lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey and reverse the ban on selling F-35 fighter jets, despite significant opposition from members of Congress. Trump announced the decision alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling Turkey a "great ally" and emphasizing the need to "take the sanctions off" friends.
The sanctions were initially imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) following Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems in 2019. This acquisition also led to Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 joint production program, where it was slated to produce approximately 900 parts and purchase 100 jets.
Experts, however, caution that Trump faces considerable legislative hurdles. A 2020 National Defense Authorization Act amendment explicitly prohibits Turkey from acquiring F-35s while it possesses the S-400, with no provision for a presidential waiver. To proceed with a sale, the Trump administration would likely need to verify that Turkey no longer possesses the S-400, potentially through a compromise where the system is rendered inoperable or sent to a third country.
Congressional resistance to arms sales to Turkey is rooted in various foreign policy concerns, including Turkey's incursions into Syria, its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its historical rift with Greece. While the Trump administration has previously found ways to approve sales of components like jet engines by bypassing sanctioned entities, a full F-35 deal would likely encounter much stronger opposition.
Despite these challenges, Trump expressed confidence in his administration's ability to consider the F-35 sale. The situation highlights the tension between presidential foreign policy objectives and congressional oversight, particularly concerning national security and international arms deals.