President Trump and NATO allies concluded a high-stakes summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, with several consequential decisions that realigned U.S. foreign policy. Trump authorized Ukraine to co-produce Patriot missile interceptors, a significant boost for Kyiv as it battles Russian missile and drone attacks. At the same time, he lashed out at NATO members for lagging on defense spending, ordered a complete halt to trade with Spain, and left the F-35 status for Turkey unresolved amid bipartisan pushback.
Rhetoric Toward Iran Turns Hostile
Trump’s language toward Iran took a dramatic shift after Tehran launched strikes on three commercial vessels Tuesday night, just as the summit opened. The U.S. retaliated with what Central Command called “powerful” strikes. Trump declared the interim U.S.-Iran deal “over,” telling reporters, “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum.” He later referred to Iranian leaders as “sick people.”
This contrasts sharply with his comments at the G7 summit weeks ago, where he called Iranians “rational people.” Asked about the reversal, Trump said, “I got to know them. That’s it.” He also claimed the current regime is an improvement over the previous one, which saw the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S. and Israeli strikes. The shift aligns with broader administration moves, including signaling an end to containment and targeting the regime as a “cancer.”
Ukraine Gets Green Light for Patriot Interceptors
Trump announced during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. would grant Ukraine a license to co-produce Patriot missile interceptors. “Just a little birdie told me this, about the fact that we’ll give them the right to make Patriots, we’ll show them how to do it,” Trump said. “It’s very complex, but you’ll figure it out quickly.”
The Patriot system, a ground-based surface-to-air missile system, is critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russian ballistic missiles and drones. It can also intercept aircraft. Trump noted that the U.S. has limited stockpiles and won’t be able to transfer many immediately. This move is likely to be welcomed by NATO allies and builds on earlier efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, as detailed in a separate report.
Trump Wavers on F-35s for Turkey Amid Pushback
Trump said he hasn’t decided whether to readmit Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet program, which he expelled Ankara from in 2020 over its purchase of Russian S-400 systems. “I haven’t totally made up my mind, but my inclination is to say, look, he’s done everything,” Trump said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He also signaled willingness to lift sanctions on Turkey, a key hurdle.
The potential move faces strong opposition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that giving such advanced jets to a “radical regime” would invite aggression. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) called it “a slap in the face to every ally we’ve asked to trust us.” The debate underscores tensions within the alliance, as former NATO envoys have noted that Trump’s broader approach is eroding trust.
Trump Orders Trade Cut with Spain Amid NATO Tensions
In one of the summit’s most striking moments, Trump ordered a complete halt to all trade with Spain, citing frustrations over defense spending and the conflict with Iran. The move sent shockwaves through European capitals and raised questions about the future of transatlantic economic ties. It also highlights Trump’s willingness to use economic leverage to enforce NATO burden-sharing demands.
As the summit concluded, lingering questions remain over the F-35 deal and the broader trajectory of U.S. relations with allies. Trump’s aggressive posture on Iran and trade, combined with new support for Ukraine, signals a volatile but decisive phase in his foreign policy agenda.
