Uğur Dalbeler, Deputy Chairman of the Türkiye Steel Exporters’ Association (ÇİB), told Hürriyet that global steel trade has been shaped by the strict protectionist policies initiated during Donald Trump’s term in 2018. Dalbeler stated:
"Since the first Trump administration in 2018, there has been serious protectionism in global steel trade. The measures taken have now reached a level that disregards World Trade Organization rules."
Dalbeler emphasized that these measures are not only applied against state-supported producers such as China but also target independent producers like Türkiye:
"The U.S. imposes these measures to protect domestic steel producers. Anti-dumping investigations are initiated upon complaints, and decisions usually go against the exporting country. It wasn’t like this before; investigations used to be more objective. But in the last 5–6 years, protectionism has intensified to the point that authorities conduct biased reviews, creating rates and trying to apply duties on arbitrary grounds."
He also noted that protectionism is not limited to the U.S., pointing out that the European Union has taken similar steps:
"In recent years, the EU has joined this trend. Governments have started repurchasing previously privatized steel plants—Italy and the UK are examples. Additionally, Europe has imposed quotas: you cannot exceed 25%. These are among the most significant factors behind the recent decline in Türkiye steel exports."
Exports Rising Overall, Sharp Decline to the U.S.
Dalbeler explained that while Türkiye’s total steel exports have increased, the decline in the U.S. market has been severe:
"Türkiye’s steel exports in the first eight months of this year increased by 12% compared to the same period last year," he said, adding a year-end forecast:
"We expect to finish the year with 16–17 million tons of exports. Around 500,000 tons of this would go to the U.S. However, these numbers used to be much higher."
Dalbeler highlighted that exports to the U.S. were much higher in 2016–2017:
"Before Trump’s protectionist measures, in 2016–17, we sold up to 3 million tons of steel to the U.S., reaching up to 15% of total exports. But after the Pastor Brunson incident, tariffs doubled. Over the last five years, our exports fell to around 500,000 tons, which equals roughly $300 million. Previously, we reached $2 billion. The recently imposed duties will push our exports even lower."
“Türkiye Must Take Measures”
Dalbeler stressed that Türkiye must also take steps to protect its steel sector:
"Industry cannot operate without steel. That’s why steel is strategic and has put countries on alert. We have no choice but to diversify markets, and we are doing so. But now the world has started regionalizing. Everyone is trying to protect their own industry. Everyone is closing doors to China, which then supplies at costs below $100. Europe imposes quotas. Türkiye also needs to take measures."
“The U.S. Decision is Significant”
Veysel Yayan, Secretary-General of the Türkiye Steel Producers’ Association (TÇÜD), said steel exports to the U.S. were very low in the first half of the year:
"In the first half of the year, Türkiye’s steel exports to the U.S. amounted to only 149,000 tons in volume and around $100 million in value," he said.
Yayan emphasized that exports of corrosion-resistant steel products are extremely limited:
"Exports of corrosion-resistant steel products are only about 3,000 tons, an extremely low level. Yet we find Türkiye’s inclusion in such an investigation 'significant'."
He added that this approach reflects the U.S.’s extreme sensitivity toward protecting its steel sector:
"This decision is a clear example of the U.S.’s sensitivity in protecting the steel industry."
The China Factor and Regional Competition
Yayan pointed out that another challenge for Türkiye in steel trade is China:
"Five years ago, China exported 390,000 tons of steel products to Türkiye. Today, this figure has risen to 4 million tons."
He suggested that Türkiye should implement similar protective measures:
"It would be beneficial for Türkiye to adopt approaches similar to the U.S. toward our steel trade with China, other Far Eastern countries, and Russia. Developing measures to support steel exports to the U.S. is also of vital importance," he said.
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