Trump’s tariff plan offers tremendous opportunity: Turkish Exporters Assembly

Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), Mustafa Gultepe, highlighted that the tariff plans proposed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could present a significant opportunity for Turkish exporters to reach a pivotal role in competitiveness.

Emphasizing the U.S. market’s potential to impact every sector in Türkiye, Gultepe stated, “Trump’s new tariff plans targeting China, Canada, and Mexico have already slightly stimulated certain sectors. If we achieve competitiveness in pricing, a tremendous opportunity lies ahead.”

Speaking to an Anadolu Agency correspondent on Sunday, Gultepe expressed optimism about a future free trade agreement between Türkiye and the U.S., which he believes could compensate for potential losses from the European Union.

Gultepe remarked, “The U.S. is not only a significant market for Türkiye but also one of the largest globally. If momentum is regained during President Trump’s second term, exports from Türkiye to the U.S. could see substantial growth within 4-5 years.”

‘Walmart’s entry into Turkish market to accelerate under Trump’

Commenting on the U.S. retail giant Walmart, Gultepe noted its substantial purchasing power and the company’s search for alternatives. “If Walmart sources just 5% of its products from Türkiye, the multiplier effect on exports would be transformative. We should collectively shift toward offering higher-value products across all sectors. Walmart’s entry into Türkiye will likely accelerate with Trump in office,” Gultepe said.

Gultepe also shared that trade delegations are being frequently sent to North and South America, emphasizing: “We need to do at least 2-3 times more than what we’re currently doing. The potential is there; we can increase exports from those regions.”

He acknowledged the efforts of TIM and various industry delegations in visiting markets worldwide this year and highlighted the importance of prioritizing competitiveness in the coming year.

‘Türkiye’s competitiveness will stand out’

Gultepe underscored the mission of making Türkiye one of the top 10 exporting nations globally, a goal requiring consistent export growth. He recalled that the Medium-Term Program revised the year-end export target from $267 billion to $264 billion because of economic challenges.

“With conflicts in both the north and south, a recession in Europe, and half of our market tied to EU member states, achieving the planned figures becomes difficult,” he explained.

Despite these challenges, Gultepe acknowledged positive growth in some sectors and expected steady increases in defense and food exports next year, adding that maintaining Türkiye’s cost structure is crucial for attracting international investments.

Discussing the EU’s Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (SKDM), set to begin in 2026, Gultepe noted, “Türkiye’s competitiveness will shine through. Compared to other countries, we are better prepared.”

Gultepe underlined that Türkiye is gearing up at all levels—government, industry, and corporate—to adapt to SKDM and other global shifts.

Looking ahead, Gultepe predicted growth in the service sector and suggested that Türkiye could increase tourist numbers with effective strategies in the tourism sector.

Stressing the need for renewed sectoral strategies, he concluded the significance of attracting investments and expanding existing ones for the Turkish economy.