Ekrem İmamoğlu criticizes Erdoğan's U.S. diplomatic engagements

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding his diplomatic engagements in the United States. In a statement released via his presidential candidacy office, İmamoğlu argued that the President should prioritize the interests of Turkey's 86 million citizens over relations with U.S. leadership.

İmamoğlu highlighted several points of contention in Turkey-U.S. relations, noting that while Turkey has promised to purchase 225 aircraft from the American company Boeing, the F-35 fighter jets that Turkey sought after paying over $1 billion remain unprovided. He pointed out that the U.S. recently sold F-35s to Saudi Arabia despite Turkey's ongoing wait.

Furthermore, İmamoğlu mentioned recent concessions made by the Turkish government, such as the closure of an Iranian bank operating in Turkey for 44 years at the request of the U.S., and noted that previous visits resulted in the removal of certain tariffs on U.S. products. He emphasized the principle of reciprocity between states and called for a focus on Turkey's national security.