Background Document for President Erdogan's Visit - Foreign Pool Report #1

Good morning,

I am your foreign pooler for President Erdogan's Visit with President Trump on September 25, 2025. Please reach out if you have any questions or comments

Erdogan arrived yesterday in Washington and spent the night in the Blair house. He is expected to fly home right after the meeting with President Trump, some sources say he he stops by briefly at the AK party Washington office.

Schedule:

11:00 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Greeting with the President of the Republic of Turkey

11:15 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the Republic of Turkey

11:45 AM THE PRESIDENT participates in a Bilateral Lunch with the President of the Republic of Turkey

Expected Participants:

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
• U.S. President Donald Trump
• Key Turkish Officials:
• Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek
• Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
• Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz
• Defense Minister Yasar Güler
• Health Minister
• Trade Minister
• Energy Minister
• Chief Advisor Akif Cagaptay Kilic (they all speak english)

Context:

President Erdogan's visit to the White House is being celebrated as a success even before it occurs in turkish media. The Turkish delegation includes significant officials capable of conducting discussions in English, which highlights the importance of this meeting.

Agenda:

Erdogan's discussions with Trump will cover a broad range of topics, including:

• Trade
• Investment
• Cooperation in the defense industry
• Efforts to halt "wars and conflicts" in the region
• The world will have the eyes on whether Israel/Gaza will be discussed.

It will be interesting if we hear any official details on what Trump told regional countries ("the group who could do it") about his peace plan to Gaza. Trump reportedly wants Muslim countries to send military forces to Gaza. It is hard to imagine that Netanyaho would agree to this, especially Turkish troops.

Erdogan expressed optimism regarding the meeting's potential to contribute to global peace, stating, "I believe my meeting with President Trump next week will contribute to halting the wars and conflicts in our region within the framework of our shared global peace vision."

Confirmed Topics:

President Trump reaffirmed the visit through a post on his Truth Social platform, indicating that discussions will include:

• Large-scale purchases of Boeing aircraft
• A significant F-16 deal
• Continued discussions on the F-35 program

Background on Previous Relations:

Erdogan last visited the White House in 2019 during Trump's first term. The personal ties between the two leaders were close from 2017 to 2021, but relations soured due to U.S. support for the PKK-led SDF in Syria and Turkey's defense partnership with Russia.

Current Negotiations:

Turkish Airlines is in advanced negotiations to purchase up to 300 Boeing aircraft, with discussions expected to conclude during this visit. Erdogan plans to secure contracts worth over ten billion dollars for local production, which includes:

• Hundreds of Boeing passenger planes
• Lockheed Martin fighter jets

The finalization of these deals depends on Trump's approval. The Turkish military has been seeking F-35 jets after being suspended from the program in 2019 due to its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Turkey is also hoping to be reinstated in the F-35 program, as its air force needs modernization.

U.S. Defense Industry Impact:

The visit is anticipated to benefit the U.S. defense industry significantly. Reports suggest Turkey's plans to purchase aircraft and munitions valued at several dozen billion dollars, including:

• 40 F-35 jets
• 40 F-16 Vipers
• Bombs and missiles

Boeing and Lockheed Martin could secure contracts for up to 250 commercial aircraft and additional F-16 jets, amounting to billions of dollars.

Domestic Challenges:

Erdogan's visit is controversial within the U.S., particularly among the MAGA movement, due to his vocal criticism of Israel and accusations of genocide against the Palestinians.

The recent arrest and suspension of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have sparked significant protests in Turkey, with tens of thousands demonstrating against Erdogan. The EU Commission and the German Foreign Office have criticized this political crackdown, emphasizing that political competition should not involve judicial or prison tactics.

Expert Analysis:

Observers note Turkey's trajectory towards autocracy since Erdogan's consolidation of power post-2016 coup attempt. Hürcan Asli Aksoy, a German Turkey expert, remarked that Imamoglu's arrest signifies a "step towards full authoritarianism," contrasting Erdogan's initial reformist image.

Contact:

Ines Pohl

Washington Bureau Chief

Deutsche Welle (DW)

2000 M St NW, Suite 335

Washington, D.C., 20036

USA

Ines Pohl

Washington Bureau Chief

Deutsche Welle (DW)

2000 M St NW, Suite 335

Washington, D.C., 20036

USA

Office: + 1 XXX-XXX-XXXX

Mobile: XXX-XXX-XXXX

@inespohl

[EMAIL ADDRESS] (mailto:[EMAIL ADDRESS])