Erdoğan-Trump Talks Eyed Ahead of NATO Summit

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is reportedly seeking a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during next month’s World Cup match between Turkey and the United States in Los Angeles, according to Bloomberg sources familiar with the discussions.

The potential talks would take place less than two weeks before Turkey is set to host a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7–8, as questions grow over Washington’s future role in European defense and support for the alliance.

Sources said Erdoğan plans to attend the Group D match at SoFi Stadium on June 25. While no final details have been confirmed, the meeting could provide an opportunity for both leaders to discuss bilateral ties, regional issues, and NATO’s future direction.

Neither Erdoğan’s office nor the White House has commented on the reported plans.

Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest military after the United States, is seeking a larger role in strengthening the alliance’s southeastern flank. Ankara is also aiming to deepen defense cooperation with European partners and expand exports of military equipment, including combat drones and armored vehicles.

According to the report, Turkey has proposed building a $1.2 billion military-use pipeline to help secure energy supplies for NATO allies along Europe’s eastern flank. The initiative aligns with Ankara’s broader strategy to increase its importance within the alliance while supporting logistical and defense needs.

As the United States encourages European nations to assume greater responsibility for their own security under the emerging “NATO 3.0” framework, Turkey is pushing for fewer restrictions on defense industry cooperation and greater access to fighter jets and missile defense systems.

If confirmed, a Trump-Erdoğan meeting during the World Cup could play a key role in shaping discussions ahead of the NATO summit and influence future alliance cooperation