Trump will lift Turkey sanctions, weigh F-35 sale

U.S. officials said President Donald Trump will lift sanctions on Turkey and decide separately whether to allow sales of F-35 fighter jets, signaling a possible reset in a strained NATO relationship. Reaction pending.

The comments matter because sanctions and fighter-jet access sit at the center of Washington’s defense relationship with Ankara. Turkey is a NATO ally, and any shift in U.S. restrictions could alter the balance between alliance politics, defense procurement and regional security calculations.

Turkey sanctions and F-35 decision

A sanctions rollback would give Ankara a clearer path to deeper defense and commercial engagement with Washington. It would also test how far the administration is willing to go in rebuilding ties while managing concerns in Congress and among other U.S. partners.

The F-35 question is separate but closely linked. If Washington permits a sale, Turkey could regain access to one of the most advanced Western fighter platforms; if the decision is delayed or limited, the sanctions move would still ease pressure without fully restoring defense ties.

For markets, the immediate channel is geopolitical risk rather than a direct macro shock. A warmer U.S.-Turkey line could support confidence around Turkish assets if investors see lower diplomatic friction, while uncertainty over the F-35 decision may keep the reaction cautious.

Over the next 24 hours, investors and defense officials will watch whether the White House formalizes the sanctions step and whether any timetable emerges for the F-35 decision.