The "TOBB Trade Centers - Target Market USA Summit" was held at TOBB Twin Towers with the participation of Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.
In his speech, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the rules of doing business around the world were being rewritten. He emphasized that nearshoring in supply chains, the focus on domestic contribution in public procurement, and the tariff risks in competition have become key issues of the new era.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the world has entered a period in which it is necessary to be more planned, professional, and strategic in every field from production to marketing, from logistics to finance. In this context, he pointed out that the USD 100 billion trade volume target set between Türkiye and the United States under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not merely a number.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that this reflects Türkiye’s determination to become a more visible and permanent player in the global value chain. He stated that, “We are progressing step by step toward this goal through the TOBB Trade Centers, established in strong cooperation between TOBB and our Ministry of Trade, and through its flagship project, the Türkiye Trade Center (TTC) in Chicago. TTC is not merely a service point; it is the operational base of Türkiye’s commercial diplomacy in the United States. It is a platform that accelerates our companies’ market entry, reduces costs, and facilitates compliance.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that since its establishment, the center has supported more than 500 Turkish companies in entering the U.S. market, scaling up their operations, and adapting to local conditions. He stated that they have built an end to end structure covering 17 sectors with nearly 100 members, ranging from logistics and after sales services to marketing and supply chain management.
"Export to the USA is an opportunity for every Turkish company"
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they helped entrepreneurs establish companies and make deliveries to the USA during the pandemic period, and that they overcame bottlenecks in the container crisis with appointment based warehousing and loading/unloading services.
Pointing out that they have reduced vulnerabilities in supply risks through alternative routes and insurance arrangements, Hisarcıklıoğlu continued:
“Today, TTC Chicago has reached a level of logistical and operational capacity that enables it to serve not only in the state of Illinois but also in all port cities and strategic regions across the United States. In addition to our main warehouse, we continue our operations with a structure capable of providing door to door services in many states. This capacity is not only a logistical achievement but also a concrete reflection of Türkiye’s global trade vision on the ground.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that the U.S. has strategic importance not only because it is a large market but also because of its role as a game changer, stating that with a national income of approximately USD 29.2 trillion last year, it is the world’s largest consumption and innovation center.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that during the same period, U.S. imports reached a record level of USD4.1 trillion in total goods and services, with goods imports alone amounting to USD3.3 trillion. He stated that, “At a time when we are facing intense competition and challenges in our traditional markets, exporting to the United States represents a unique opportunity for every Turkish company. The U.S. is an exceptional showcase for global brand recognition. There are scalable opportunities in many sectors, particularly in construction materials, home and lifestyle products, food and agriculture, machinery, and automotive sub-industries.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that in the new era, the export and smart investment duo should be considered together, and that establishing the final transaction, assembly, after-sales, and warranty network on-site reduced both the compliance cost and brought the company closer to the customer.
Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized that they have three main areas of focus for the coming years, stating:
“Our key priorities are to accelerate technology and service exports as a distinct growth path; to minimize delivery times and return costs through sector-focused trade centers and a multi-hub U.S. network; and to position more Turkish companies sustainably within the United States. In this regard, the International Logistics Distribution Networks (ILDN) support program of our Ministry of Trade serves as a critical lever.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the comprehensive supports provided for overseas operations ranging from personnel and storage to promotion, software, and hardware have enabled centers like TTC to operate sustainably and at scale. He added that, as of May 2025, thanks to the protocol signed with the Ministry, they have diversified their warehousing activities at very competitive prices.
Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that thanks to this cooperation, exporters have gained significant cost advantages both abroad and domestically. He stated that:
“Selling goods to the United States is no longer an option but a necessity. As the rules are being rewritten, we must be not only in the game but ahead of it. TTC Chicago will continue to be your bridge, but more companies need to cross that bridge in a more planned and faster way.”
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