Türkiye advances free trade talks with UK and Gulf Cooperation Council

Progress in UK negotiations and EU customs union update

Bolat stated that talks with the UK are progressing positively, particularly in areas like digital trade and financial services. He also addressed efforts to modernize the decades-old Customs Union with the European Union, noting the European Commission's agreement to include services and e-commerce, though the process is stalled by opposition from a few EU member states in the Council.

Active trade diplomacy across multiple regions

The minister highlighted an intense year of trade diplomacy, with over 176 meetings held with counterparts from more than 100 nations. Türkiye is actively pursuing its "Africa and Far Countries" strategies, seeking preferential trade agreements within groups like the D8 (Developing 8) and preparing to host the Organization of Turkic States summit next year in Istanbul.

Addressing trade challenges with the US and Asia

Regarding the United States, Türkiye's second-largest trade partner, Bolat acknowledged the challenge of a "serious protectionist trade policy" under the Trump administration. He also pointed to a significant trade deficit with the Asia-Pacific region, against which Türkiye is actively employing trade defense measures such as anti-dumping investigations to protect its domestic market.