Minister Bolat: Tariff negotiations with the US will be conducted constructively and with mutual understanding

Bolat, who met with journalists after the Eastern Black Sea Project (DOKAP) Action Plan Information and Consultation Meeting and the second Economic Coordination Board (EKK) meeting of the year, made evaluations on the agenda.

Emphasizing that the additional 10% customs duty imposed by the US is unfair, Bolat announced that the first contacts on this issue have taken place and that new meetings will be held at the ministerial level in the coming days. “We will conduct our negotiations with the US in a positive and constructive environment with mutual understanding,” Bolat noted, adding that the economic administration is acting in consultation under the chairmanship of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.

Türkiye will defend the rules of global trade

Minister Bolat stated that unilateral trade decisions taken across the world damage the multilateral trade system and that Türkiye will not remain passive in this process. “We will not allow rival countries to turn Türkiye into a product unloading center. We will use all the powers given to us by world trade rules,” he stated. Referring to the challenges facing the global trade system, Bolat emphasized that trade should become the engine of growth again by reaching a consensus among countries.

Steps are being taken for trade cooperation with Syria

Referring to the contacts with Syria, Bolat stated that a cooperation process was initiated with the new Syrian administration upon the instruction of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Explaining that an agreement was reached on issues such as the facilitation of customs transit and the transfer of transshipment and unloading operations into the country, Bolat stated that efforts were being made to accelerate Türkiye-Middle East trade traffic. He also stated that topics such as the repair of industrial zones and increasing investments will be carried forward under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

“As all ministries, we know our duties and what we will do,” Bolat noted, signaling that trade and cooperation will accelerate.