U.S. President Donald Trump voiced strong support for Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday when asked about delays in lifting CAATSA sanctions that led to Ankara’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet program.
“I love Türkiye. I talk to President Erdoğan all the time. As you know, he’s a friend of mine. I’ll always make him happy,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House for Alabama, where he was due to attend a Republican Party campaign event.
Trump had announced during the NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara in July that sanctions on Türkiye would be lifted, saying Washington did not want to impose sanctions on its friends.
The U.S. imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in 2020 after Türkiye purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
Ankara turned to the S-400 after its efforts to purchase the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system failed to produce a deal. Türkiye was subsequently removed from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Trump also welcomed Europe’s decision to release diesel stocks following requests from Washington, saying the move would provide significant additional supplies to global markets.
“There’s a lot of diesel in Europe, and they’re going to make a major contribution worldwide. So are we,” Trump said.
He ruled out an immediate ban on U.S. diesel exports and predicted oil prices would fall once the situation involving Iran was resolved.
Trump said Washington maintained strong relations with Europe and had encouraged European countries to release some of their diesel reserves.
Asked whether a U.S. diesel export ban had been completely ruled out, Trump said his administration had not been planning such a move.
“I don’t think we’re going to do it,” he said, while praising Europe for releasing additional supplies to the market.
