Intel: In letter to Trump, Erdogan bemoans Turkey’s poor reputation on Capitol Hill
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's personal letter to his counterpart Donald Trump was delivered today as part of Turkey’s COVID-19 relief package for the United States.
A personal letter from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was delivered today to his counterpart Donald Trump as part of Turkey’s COVID-19 relief package for the United States.
“I hope that in the upcoming period, with the spirit of solidarity we have displayed during the pandemic, Congress and the US media will better understand the strategic importance of our relations,” Erdogan wrote in the letter, released today.
Why it matters: Turkey has used personal protective equipment exports to 55 countries as part of a diplomatic charm offensive while it seeks to cope with more than 118,000 coronavirus cases of its own. The US Embassy in Turkey praised the shipment, which includes more than 500,000 masks, 4,000 overalls, 2,000 liters (528 gallons) of disinfectant, 1,500 goggles and 500 face shields.
However, Congress has taken a more antagonistic approach than Trump in the face of myriad challenges between the two NATO allies.
