The Greek Reporter - Trump Praises Erdogan and Highlights Strong US–Turkey Ties By Tasos Kokkinidis April 8, 2025

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Trump Praises Erdogan and Highlights Strong US–Turkey Ties

By

Tasos Kokkinidis

April 8, 2025

Describing Erdogan as “really tough and very smart,” Trump emphasized their mutual respect: “I have a very good relationship with this guy.” Credit: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL via AMNA

During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Turkey and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The meeting, which covered a range of geopolitical issues including Iran, the situation in Gaza, Turkish and Syrian affairs, and trade tariffs, also highlighted Trump’s diplomatic rapport with the Turkish leader.

“I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and its leader,” Trump said, extending congratulations to the country. He went on to commend Erdogan for his role in Syria, saying, “I told him he did what no one had managed to do in 2,000 years—he took control of Syria. Let’s give him that.”

According to Trump, Erdogan deflected the praise, saying, “No, no, it wasn’t me, it was you.” Trump added with a smile, “Ultimately, let’s say it was me too.”

Describing Erdogan as “really tough and very smart,” Trump emphasized their mutual respect: “I have a very good relationship with this guy, Erdoğan. I like him, he likes me, and that drives the media crazy.”

Trump also reflected on past challenges in the US-Turkey relationship, recalling the tensions that arose during the detention of an American pastor in Izmir during his presidency. Despite that diplomatic standoff, Trump maintained, “We’ve never had a problem—and we’ve been through a lot.”

On the subject of Israeli-Turkish relations, particularly in light of Turkish influence in Syria and concerns from Jerusalem, Trump offered a characteristically confident remark: “If they have a problem in Israel with Turkey, I think I can solve it—as long as you’re reasonable,” he said, referring to the Israeli leadership.

Erdogan seeks meeting with Trump

Erdogan is working to secure a meeting with Trump at the White House, potentially by late April, Bloomberg News reported recently, citing Turkish officials familiar with the matter.

Erdogan sees closer US-Turkey ties as crucial for regional stability, particularly as Ankara seeks a bigger role in mediating conflicts from Ukraine to Syria, the report added.

Erdogan has spoken by telephone with Trump in March, discussing efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and to restore stability in Syria.

He told Trump that Turkey supported his “decisive and direct initiatives” to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and would continue to strive for a “just and lasting peace,” Erdogan’s office said in a statement.

In the battle against militant group Islamic State in Syria, the United States is allied with a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey regards as a terrorist group. Turkey has sharply criticized this US stance as a betrayal of a NATO ally.

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