Türkiye should replace China as key production hub, says Trump ally billionaire

Türkiye is stepping in to fill the manufacturing void created by new U.S. tariffs and should be developed into a global production center instead of China, according to Gentry Thomas Beach, chairman of U.S.-based White Bridge Global and a known business partner of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We need to turn Türkiye into a production center. This has become more important today due to the backlash against China,” Beach said, emphasizing the country’s competitive costs and strategic regional advantages.

Beach made the remarks in Istanbul on Wednesday during a signing ceremony with Turkish conglomerate Tera Holding for a cooperation agreement to establish a Dubai-based joint venture focused on energy, digital infrastructure, oil, and mining. The planned joint venture will focus on sectors identified as essential to regional growth, including data centers, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource development.

He described the partnership as globally oriented and designed to generate long-term value across a diverse range of sectors, highlighting that the cooperation was structured to serve not only present needs but also future objectives.

“This partnership has a global perspective and aims to create long-term value in every field of investment,” he said. “With Tera Holding’s visionary approach, operational expertise, and financial strength, we will make a difference across a wide range—from digital infrastructure and energy to natural resources and next-generation technologies.”

‘Türkiye has an incredibly qualified energy minister’

Beach indicated that their first investments in Türkiye would be in the energy and banking sectors, stressing the importance of local expertise and partnership in these areas. He pointed out that Türkiye’s strategic location and production capacity make it an attractive alternative to China.

“You can achieve U.S. and European-level quality at Chinese prices here. But energy costs must come down. However, Türkiye has an incredibly qualified energy minister,” he added, applauding Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

U.S. reciprocal tariffs on China, initially set at 34%, have prompted many companies to redirect investments toward alternative emerging markets, with Türkiye standing out for its competitive advantages and limited exposure to the tariffs, which start at a minimum rate of just 10%. The duties on Chinese goods have since been raised to as high as 145%, following a series of tit-for-tat measures from both sides.

Beach also revealed plans to invest in third countries alongside Tera Holding.

Looking beyond Türkiye, Beach said the partnership would pursue joint investments in third countries. He cited Pakistan as a promising partner with strong leadership and noted its compatibility with Türkiye.

He also pointed to opportunities in Africa, Libya, and Syria, suggesting that Turkish firms could contribute to infrastructure and banking projects in these challenging markets.

“We will act jointly in the regions we enter,” he said. “Pakistan, for example, is a country with excellent leadership and aligns well with Türkiye. I believe we can introduce Turkish partners to markets in Africa. They can work in challenging environments—build infrastructure, engage in banking. We’re also exploring opportunities in Libya, Syria, and other areas.”

Tera Holding Chairman Emre Tezmen said the initiative is grounded in a strategic investment approach centered on value creation. He stressed the importance of sustainability, technology, and infrastructure in shaping future economic models.

“Our strategic partnership with White Bridge Global has the potential to shape not only the future of both companies but also the future of entire sectors and regions,” Tezmen said.

“In this new economic order defined by borderless trade and digital dominance, sustainability, technology, and infrastructure investments are more critical than ever,” he added.