Turkey pursues expanded free trade talks with UK, GCC
Bolat highlighted that Türkiye has made considerable progress in trade diplomacy this year, aiming to strengthen economic ties and boost bilateral commerce. Efforts have focused on free and preferential trade agreements as part of its Africa and Far Countries strategies.
The minister noted that Türkiye–UK talks to amend the existing free trade deal are moving forward, with positive developments in digital trade, financial and professional services, and investment provisions. The revised agreement is expected to take effect in the second half of 2026.
According to Bolat, coordination continues through joint committees and mixed commission meetings, alongside numerous bilateral discussions with countries via official channels and sector representatives. Over the past year, Türkiye has held more than 176 meetings with ministers from over 100 nations, as well as summits with multilateral organizations. Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) sessions, plus high-level trade dialogues with the European Union, have also been conducted.
The minister emphasized ongoing efforts to update the Türkiye–EU Customs Union to encompass services and e-commerce. “The commission agrees with us on this, but the EU Council has yet to authorize the commission to start negotiations due to some nonsensical opposition from a few countries,” he said.
Bolat described the UK as a key trading partner, noting that the eighth Türkiye–UK JETCO meeting is scheduled for January. Bilateral discussions with EU Commission members in Brussels are also planned. Meanwhile, free trade talks with the GCC continue, with existing agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar already in force.
Looking ahead, Bolat said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host next year’s Organization of Turkic States summit in Istanbul. Türkiye is also seeking preferential trade deals with Developing 8 (D8) members while continuing its Africa and Far Countries strategy.
The minister underscored the United States’ role as Türkiye’s second-largest foreign trading partner. “Under US President Donald Trump, the US is pursuing a serious protectionist trade policy with high tariff barriers,” he said. Comprehensive talks in Washington with the trade representative and officials from the US Chamber of Commerce are underway, as Türkiye works to maximize exports and implement measures against unfair practices in the Asia-Pacific region, where it faces a significant trade deficit. “We are working intensively on anti-dumping, countervailing duty investigations, and anti-subsidy investigations,” Bolat added.
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