Erdogan says Turkey could take joint steps with Elon Musk on tech

President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey could take joint steps with Elon Musk on technology if opportunities for cooperation in that field arise, broadcaster TRT Haber reported on Wednesday.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Musk to a role aimed at creating a more efficient government, handing even more influence to the world's richest man who donated millions of dollars to helping Trump get elected.

"Musk is a businessman who works in the space and technology field," Erdogan told reporters on a return flight from Baku.

"Technology isn't a field you can advance on your own, you absolutely need some cooperation. In the event cooperation opportunities arise in this field, steps can be taken with Musk," he was cited as saying.

Last year, Erdogan asked Musk to build a Tesla factory in Turkey during a meeting at Turkish House, a skyscraper near the United Nations in New York.

Eying reset in ties

Erdogan is seeking to reset Turkey's strained ties with the U.S. by inviting Trump to visit.

On a flight back from a European summit in Budapest last week, he told reporters that he hoped Trump would accept the invitation.

"We had a sincere call with Mr. Trump while he was at a family dinner (that included) Elon Musk and Musk's child," Erdogan said, according to an official Turkish readout.

"He had very nice things to say about Turkey regarding the period ahead. We invited him to our country. I hope he accepts..."

Ankara's cooperation with Trump's White House could also help solve regional crises, added Erdogan, who has led Turkey for more than 21 years.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden did not visit Turkey during his term and Erdogan's planned White House visit early this year fell through with little explanation, underlining the cool relations.