Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has urged the United States to lift sanctions that restrict certain defense purchases by Turkey, as well as other unilateral measures that impede the NATO allies’ ability to achieve long-term bilateral trade objectives.

Relations between the two nations have been strained in recent years due to various issues, including differing policies in the eastern Mediterranean, Syria, and Gaza, as well as Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems. This purchase led to U.S. sanctions and Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019.

Subsequently, Turkey sought to acquire 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits from the U.S. This deal was approved following Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO application, which contributed to an improvement in bilateral relations. Both Ankara and Washington aim to increase their bilateral trade from approximately $30 billion in 2023 to a target of $100 billion.

During his visit to New York for the U.N. General Assembly, Erdogan addressed Turkish and American business leaders, expressing confidence that the trade goal is achievable. However, he noted that collaboration in the defense sector has not reached its full potential due to ongoing restrictions.

Erdogan stated on Monday that unilateral measures such as additional tariffs on iron, steel, and aluminum, as well as probes and the sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), should be discontinued. He expressed optimism regarding the F-16 modernization project, anticipating the permanent removal of export restrictions in this area.

He highlighted Turkey’s strategic position in supply chains, using the collaboration on the production and procurement of 155mm ammunition—crucial in the Ukraine-Russia conflict—as a key example.

While Turkey supports Ukraine, it has opposed the sanctions, asserting that they will not be bypassed on Turkish territory. In addition to the F-16s, Turkey has shown interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Germany, Britain, and Spain, although it has raised concerns about the slow progress due to Germany’s hesitance.

Erdogan’s office reported that he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New York on Monday, where he expressed Turkey’s willingness to enhance cooperation across various sectors and explore joint opportunities that would be mutually beneficial.