For those wondering why US President Donald Trump continues to lavish praise on Turkish President Erdogan — and why he listens to him on Gaza — the answer lies in their vast network of shared interests: security, geopolitics, and above all, economics.
Washington sees Turkey as a key player in curbing Russia. Trump is promoting a deal under which Ankara will purchase 70 billion cubic meters of American liquefied natural gas over 20 years. The price for Turkey is much higher than Russian gas, but the US gains twice — hurting the Kremlin’s income while deepening Turkey’s dependence on the West.
At the same time, Trump signals a return to major arms deals: Turkey may be readmitted into the F-35 program after being expelled for buying Russia’s S-400 system. New contracts are also being discussed for Boeing passenger planes, F-16s, and small nuclear reactors — worth tens of billions of dollars.
For Trump, Turkey is also a diplomatic tool — a country that talks to both Russia and NATO, mediates between Putin and Zelensky, and can engage with Iran and Hamas. Erdogan, for his part, leverages this personal bond to rebuild his international image and portray himself as an “irreplaceable leader.”