ISTANBUL (AP) — The close relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has brought the countries closer to resolving issues that led to Turkey being kicked off the F-35 fighter jet program, the United States ambassador to Ankara said Wednesday.
“The positive relationship between President Trump and President Erdogan has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade,” Ambassador Tom Barrack wrote in a social media post.
During Trump’s first term, the U.S. removed NATO ally Turkey from the next-generation fighter program after Turkey purchased an air defense system from Russia. U.S. officials worried that Turkey’s use of Russia’s S-400 missile system could be used to gather data on the capabilities of the F-35 and that the information could end up in Russian hands.
Ankara has long sought to be readmitted to the project, which was developed by the U.S. and other NATO members. Erdogan has said Turkey invested $1.4 billion before it was suspended from the program in 2019. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act the following year.
Barrack, who is also Trump’s special envoy for Syria, said there were “ongoing discussions with Türkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.”
Using the Turkish government’s preferred spelling for Turkey, he said the “positive relationship” between Trump and Erdogan had “created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade.
“Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Türkiye.”
While it has been excluded from receiving F-35s, Turkey has been looking elsewhere to bolster its air force, including Eurofighter Typhoons and U.S.-made F-16s. It is developing its own fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet, which is expected to enter service in 2028.
In a meeting with Erdogan at the White House in September, Trump signaled that the U.S. might soon lift the ban on sales of F-35s to Ankara. The two leaders forged what Trump has described as a “very good relationship” during his first White House term.
The Obama and Biden administrations kept Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for 22 years, at arm’s length. U.S. officials cited concerns about Turkey’s human rights record and the country’s ties with Russia. Tensions between Turkey and Israel, another important American ally, have made relations difficult with Turkey at times.
Trump sees Erdogan as an intermediary in his efforts to find ends to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. U.S. and European leaders have followed Erdogan in embracing Syria’s new interim government.
FILE -President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
KARLSRUHE, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2025--
Over 9 in 10 consumers say they are likely to seek out audio devices that allow smooth movement between car and home, according to a consumer survey conducted by Futuresource Consulting on behalf of Cinemo, a leading provider of in-car infotainment solutions and the company behind the first open cloud ecosystem connecting audio devices, content, and users.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209006640/en/
The report, “From Living Room to Driver’s Seat: Exploring the Demands of a Unified Audio Experience”, drawn from more than 500 connected device users in China, where smart home and in-car connectivity adoption is among the highest globally, focused on four core themes:
According to survey results, many consumers already move between listening spaces throughout the day, yet current systems fall short, creating friction through incompatibility, manual steps, or poor synchronization.
This gap is driving demand for intelligent solutions with features such as smart-home routine integration and unified voice control, with AI-supported experiences gaining strong interest.
At the same time, consumers expect clear safeguards, privacy protection, and the ability to stay in control, making trust a defining factor as connected audio ecosystems continue to evolve.
“For all companies shaping the next phase of audio innovation, the message is clear,” said Richard Lesser, CEO of Cinemo. “Consumers want uninterrupted listening without extra steps or uncertainty. Cinemo is positioned to answer these expectations with our open cloud ecosystem designed to link car and home audio in a way that feels natural and secure.”
Cinemo will showcase its seamless car-to-home audio experience at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Access the “From Living Room to Driver’s Seat: Exploring the Demands of a Unified Audio Experience” survey report here.
About Cinemo
Cinemo is a global provider of innovative infotainment products designed to create seamless digital media experiences. Its portfolio features award-winning, fully integrated, system-agnostic solutions that combine low footprint with high performance and quality.
Founded in 2008, Cinemo provides world-leading digital media solutions for the highly demanding automotive market. Trusted by more than 40 market-leading OEMs and over 20 tier-1 suppliers, Cinemo has a strong track record of industry firsts.
By leveraging its field-proven digital media, cloud, and AI technologies, Cinemo has expanded its range to create the first open cloud ecosystem that connects devices, content, and users.
Cinemo’s global team of innovative thinkers, representing over 40 nationalities, is dedicated to driving continuous growth and developing digital media solutions that create value for our customers and partners.
Further information is available at www.cinemo.com.
About Futuresource Consulting
Futuresource Consulting partners with global technology, media, and entertainment brands to forge future market success. By fusing primary data, industry connections, and consumer insights with advanced tech, we empower businesses to make smarter decisions in increasingly complex markets. https://www.futuresource-consulting.com
"From Living Room to Driver’s Seat: Exploring the Demands of a Unified Audio Experience" Survey conducted by Futuresource Consulting on behalf of Cinemo; November 2025
