Turkish trade ministry convenes to set path toward $100B goal with US amid looming tariffs

A working group established under the Türkiye-U.S. Joint Trade and Investment Framework convened at the Turkish Ministry of Trade on Sunday to discuss a renewed roadmap for bilateral economic ties in the wake of heightened tariff measures introduced during the Trump administration.

According to an official statement from the ministry, the meeting, chaired by Deputy Minister Mustafa Tuzcu, focused on updating strategies for strengthening commercial relations between Türkiye and the United States in line with current global trade dynamics. The group also addressed policy responses to rising protectionist trends in international markets.

A key outcome of the meeting was the decision to revise the joint action plan aimed at boosting bilateral trade volume to the mutually agreed target of $100 billion. As part of the updated strategy, sector-specific data analysis and market research will be intensified to identify areas with strong potential in the U.S. market.

Trade delegations will be organized for priority sectors, and collaborative programs with major U.S. supply chains will be launched in Türkiye.

The new action plan prioritizes initiatives under the International Competitiveness Development (UR-GE), Turquality, and HISER (Service Sector Competitiveness Enhancement) support programs. Promotional activities, trade delegations, and fairs will receive state-level support in line with the regional characteristics of U.S. states.

Efforts will also focus on expanding overseas logistics networks and increasing alternative trade routes. Additionally, Türkiye aims to have U.S.-based trade fairs recognized as “prestigious fairs” under the new framework.

Minister Bolat to visit Washington in May

On the other hand, Trade Minister Omer Bolat is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., in May to attend the 12th session of the Türkiye-U.S. Trade and Investment Council (TIFA). During the visit, Bolat is expected to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and participate in the Turkish-American Conference.

The agenda will include efforts to deepen and diversify trade relations between the two countries, as well as to identify new areas for cooperation that offer mutual benefits.

Minister Bolat previously stated that Türkiye would also raise the issue of reciprocal tariffs imposed on Turkish exports—currently at a minimum level of 10%—and will request their potential removal during the meetings.

In a prior communication, Bolat had also sent a letter to Representative Greer, outlining Türkiye’s proposals for aligning both countries’ perspectives under the joint trade working plan.