UK aims to fast-track expanded free trade pact with Türkiye
UK Minister Chris Bryant states that negotiations to upgrade the Türkiye-UK Free Trade Agreement are advancing at an "almost unheard of" pace, with a fourth round set for February. Bilateral trade hit £28 billion last year, with both nations targeting a doubling of volume.
The United Kingdom has placed Türkiye on a shortlist of priority countries for rapidly concluding an expanded free trade agreement, with negotiations moving at an exceptional speed. UK Minister of State for Trade Policy Chris Bryant, in an interview with Anadolu, revealed that three negotiation rounds were completed in just six months—a pace he described as "almost unheard of" for such complex trade talks.
Momentum in Trade and New Agreements
The existing UK-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement, active since January 2021, has already propelled bilateral trade to £28 billion last year. This momentum was bolstered this week as Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat met UK counterparts in London. The parties signed a new Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) Action Plan outlining 16 concrete measures and a mutual recognition agreement, setting a mid-term goal to double the current trade volume.
Focus on Implementation and Future Rounds
Minister Bryant stressed that the ultimate goal is practical implementation that businesses can utilize. He cited recent liberalization in Türkiye's telecoms sector as a key opportunity. While acknowledging that easier negotiation topics are settled, he confirmed a fourth round is scheduled for February to tackle more complex issues. "It'd be good if we could double [trade]," Bryant said, indicating the potential of a comprehensive deal covering goods, services, and e-commerce.
Strategic Depth: Defense and NATO Alliance
Bryant underscored the multifaceted strategic partnership, linking trade progress to strong defense and NATO ties. He highlighted the recent £8 billion deal for Türkiye to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, finalized after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Ankara—the first such visit by a British premier in eight years. Bryant described this as just the beginning of deepened defense cooperation, noting collaborative projects between UK and Turkish firms in third countries like Serbia.
Broader Geopolitical Context
The minister also touched on broader geopolitical matters, reaffirming both nations' commitment to NATO amid global uncertainties. He separately confirmed the UK's parallel pursuit of a free trade agreement with Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, noting that trade and geopolitical interests often intersect.
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