Erdogan Seeks New Momentum in US-Türkiye Relations

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for "new momentum" in relations between Türkiye and the United States during the 100 Years of Friendship Gala in New York on September 22, 2026. Attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan emphasized that global conflicts and regional crises necessitate close dialogue between the two NATO allies. He cited his ongoing dialogue with President Donald Trump and Trump's July visit to Ankara as evidence of progress in the relationship.

To solidify this cooperation, Türkiye Nuclear Energy Inc. and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency signed a nuclear cooperation deal focusing on small modular reactors and fourth-generation reactor designs. Erdogan expressed readiness to further expand partnerships in civil aviation, liquefied natural gas, and high technology, while noting that Türkiye's defense exports now exceed $10 billion annually.

During a subsequent meeting with Turkish-American business representatives at the Turkish House on September 23, Erdogan promoted Türkiye as an "island of stability" and a resilient economy. He outlined a goal to reach a $100 billion bilateral trade volume and urged American investors to utilize a new incentive package that reduces corporate tax rates from 25% to 12.5%. He projected that inflation would end 2026 at approximately 28% with a budget deficit of 3.1% of GDP.