Erdoğan congratulates Trump, hopes to strengthen US-Türkiye ties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, during which he extended his congratulations on Trump's election victory.

Erdoğan expressed hopes for the development of future cooperation between Türkiye and the United States, Caliber.Az reports.

Thus, in the course of his previous tenure as the 45th US president, Donald Trump's direct, pragmatic, and at times contentious communication with Ankara was a double-edged sword. While his transactional style allowed for open dialogue, significant issues such as the US support for the PKK-linked YPG in Syria and the presence of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) in the US persisted without resolution.

Key defence disputes, notably the procurement of Russian S-400 air defence systems that led to Türkiye's exclusion from the F-35 program, remained unsettled. While the Biden administration continued a similar stance, Türkiye’s evolving domestic defence industry reduced its dependency on these programs, aside from seeking compensation for its F-35 investments.

Trump's potential return brings uncertainties, especially as the regional landscape shifts with ongoing conflicts like the Ukraine war and heightened tensions involving Israel's actions. Türkiye's firm pro-Palestinian stance and its strategic mediation role, exemplified by President Erdoğan's efforts between Ukraine and Russia, could influence US-Türkiye relations if Trump follows through on his pledge to end the war. However, Trump's unpredictable nature and the influence of his advisory team will shape the extent of bilateral cooperation.

Ultimately, despite Trump’s maverick reputation, US foreign policy is anchored in broader strategic interests beyond one leader’s control. Thus, while renewed dialogue could emerge, longstanding disputes and Ankara’s positioning on regional conflicts remain key in determining whether Trump’s new term could foster closer US-Türkiye ties or exacerbate tensions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev