U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs—ranging from 10% to 50% across more than 180 countries—pose a significant shift toward protectionism, Turkish business leaders told Anadolu Agency, but they also see potential opportunities for Türkiye amidst the global trade realignment.
Among the countries facing the new 10% tariff tier are Türkiye, the UK, Brazil, Australia, the UAE, New Zealand, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The announcement, made on April 2, marks a major development in Trump’s ongoing trade strategy.
Sekib Avdagic, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, said the world is witnessing a return to high-tariff, protectionist policies, with the U.S. using tariffs more frequently as leverage in trade negotiations.
“Fortunately, Türkiye was not hit with the steepest tariffs, but it is among the 11 countries now facing a flat 10% rate,” Avdagic explained. “To gauge the full impact, we’ll need to closely watch how the U.S. engages in negotiations with its 185 trade partners, starting with China’s likely response.”
He noted that the U.S. was Türkiye’s second-largest export market in 2024, with exports totaling $16.4 billion. With the U.S. population exceeding 340 million, Avdagic believes there’s room for growth. He urged Turkish businesses to act quickly and develop strategic plans to turn the tariff changes into a competitive edge.
Türkiye Poised for Strategic Investment and Export Growth
Avdagic highlighted the potential for Türkiye to attract foreign investment, particularly from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. As higher tariffs make production costlier elsewhere, Türkiye may become a more attractive base for manufacturers seeking tariff-friendly trade routes to the U.S. market.
“American companies may also look to Türkiye for certain lower-tariff goods, which could trigger new waves of direct investment,” he said. “With a focused export strategy and diversification into new markets, Türkiye could turn this challenge into a long-term advantage.”
Still, Avdagic warned against overconfidence, recalling the 2018 U.S. tariff hike on Turkish steel and aluminum as a cautionary tale. “Optimism must be balanced with caution,” he said.
He added that these shifts in global trade dynamics would also impact political relations, not just economics. “This 10% tariff could actually enhance Türkiye’s regional influence,” Avdagic noted. “And with the revival of the Türkiye-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue after a six-year pause, Türkiye could find itself playing a more prominent role in both the global economic and political arena.”
