Saudi Arabia-Turkey Kaan jet talks irk a Trump administration bent on arms export dominance

Saudi Arabia's bid to diversify its weapons partners is causing friction with the Trump administration, which seeks to maintain its dominance in the kingdom's arms market. US officials are concerned about Riyadh's talks to potentially join Turkey's next-generation Kaan fighter jet program, viewing it as a challenge to American exports. While Saudi Arabia assured the US it would not buy Pakistan's JF-17 jet, it has not given similar guarantees regarding the Turkish aircraft. This move is part of a broader Saudi strategy to forge new partnerships and balance regional powers, even as it is set to receive advanced F-35s from the US.