United States and Türkiye Restore Diplomatic Relations

In January 1927, the Senate refused consent to ratify the treaty negotiated with Türkiye in 1923. Secretary of State Frank Kellogg instructed High Commissioner Mark Bristol to explain that the executive still wanted friendly relations and to explore alternatives. He also warned against a spiral of tariff discrimination and retaliation that could damage trade in goods such as Turkish figs and tobacco. [1]

In Ankara on 17 February 1927, Foreign Minister Tevfik Rüştü and American High Commissioner Mark Bristol exchanged notes restoring diplomatic relations. Both governments agreed to appoint ambassadors as soon as possible, and the arrangements took effect that day without waiting for a new treaty. [2]

The interruption had lasted almost ten years. The Ottoman government broke relations with the United States in April 1917, during the First World War; by 1927 the empire had disappeared and the Republic of Türkiye had been established. Washington resumed formal ties with the new republic. [4]

Each government promised reciprocal treatment of the other’s people and property under international law. Commercial, consular, and residence agreements remained to be negotiated, while a separate exchange continued existing commercial arrangements for another year. Ambassadors could return before the governments completed those rules. [2] [3]

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