New US tariffs may shift global supply chains to Türkiye: Media source

A new U.S. customs policy is likely to reroute significant portions of global supply chains to Türkiye, according to a financial sector source in Ankara speaking to Russian media outlet TASS.

The move comes as countries facing increased U.S. tariffs look for alternative trade routes through nations with lower export duties.

“We currently see positive prospects in this new U.S. trade policy,” the source told TASS.

“These measures by the American administration will impact logistics and global supply chains. A considerable portion is expected to be redirected to Türkiye, based on straightforward economic logic,” he added.

The source emphasized that countries subject to high U.S. tariffs will aim to conduct trade through states where exports are taxed at a minimum 10% rate, such as Türkiye, especially those with existing free trade agreements.

Türkiye positioned as strategic trade hub

The source highlighted that Türkiye stands to benefit due to its competitive customs rate and existing trade frameworks.

With the global trade landscape shifting, exporters may increasingly use Ankara as a strategic gateway.

Commenting on the absence of Russia in the U.S. tariff list, the source noted that this was expected. “There is currently no trade between Russia and the U.S. Russian companies that could engage in business with the U.S. are under sanctions,” the source said.

Turkish officials see tariffs as opportunity

The new U.S. customs tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump present an economic advantage for Türkiye, as the country has been placed in the lowest tariff bracket among global trading partners, Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Saturday.

“Türkiye is subject to a 10% tariff, the lowest rate. At this stage, this appears to be to our advantage in terms of the American market,” Yilmaz said during a live broadcast on a Turkish media outlet.

Vice President Yilmaz said that Trump’s move to apply high tariffs on countries like China and members of the European Union alters the trade environment in a way that may benefit Türkiye.

“There were already tariffs on steel and aluminum. Now that similar tariffs are applied to others, we have reached a level playing field,” he said.

However, he also warned of indirect risks and said, “These rising tariffs may lead other countries excluded from the U.S. market to enter other global markets more aggressively. We must be mindful of the competitive pressures and search for new markets.”

Yilmaz said the government is monitoring reactions from China, the EU, and other economic blocs and tracking possible retaliatory moves. “President Trump also said, ‘I am open to negotiation.’ These talks and their outcomes must be followed closely.”