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Turkish Ambassador to Washington Sedat Onal emphasized the “great potential in many areas” between Türkiye and the United States.
He spoke during a high-profile business reception in New York.
Turkish and American business leaders gathered at the event ahead of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meeting with President Donald Trump this week.
The reception, hosted by the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) at the TURKEN Foundation, brought together Trade Minister Omer Bolat, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, and MUSIAD President Burhan Ozdemir, along with leaders of US-based Muslim organizations and business representatives.
Ambassador Onal described Erdogan's upcoming meetings in New York and Washington as marking "a new milestone" in Turkish-American relations, emphasizing the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation.
"There is great potential in many areas in relations between Türkiye and the US," Onal said.
"Turkish-American cooperation is important not only for the welfare, peace and security of the two countries and two peoples, but also for regional and global peace and security. We strive to develop this in every field," he noted.
The ambassador highlighted the catalytic role of the business community in bilateral relations, noting that business increasingly can influence politics, which requires careful attention.
Trade Minister Bolat revealed that leaders of both countries have set an ambitious target of $100 billion in bilateral trade volume, a significant increase from current levels.
"We closed last year at $35 billion. We expect to reach $40 billion this year; the numbers indicate that," Bolat said.
"Our country is rapidly advancing in production, employment and foreign trade. Türkiye today participates in world trade as a country with $800 billion in goods and services exports and imports," he noted.
Bolat emphasized the government's commitment despite global challenges: "In a difficult environment with protectionist winds and tariff wars in world trade, as the Ministry of Trade, we are responsible for conducting our country's economic and commercial relations and agreements with more than 200 countries."
MUSIAD President Burhan Ozdemir announced a strategic restructuring of the organization's US operations, shifting from a country-based to a state-based organizational model to enhance effectiveness.
"We determined representatives of 13 states at the US Branch Ordinary General Assembly held on Friday," Ozdemir said. He expressed hope that MUSIAD would expand to all 50 U.S. states, with Minister Kacir adding, "I hope that at this rate it will be completed to 50."
Let MUSIAD wave Türkiye's flag throughout the entire US geography."
Ozdemir identified key sectors for growth: "Especially in energy, construction, food and agriculture, and furniture sectors, we have plans as MUSIAD. I hope that with our new organizational structure, we will come to a more effective position in this geography."
Health Minister Memisoglu highlighted Türkiye's advanced healthcare infrastructure and ambitions to become a producer rather than just a consumer of medical technology.
"We will be a country that tries to say something new and produce something new in health," Memisoglu said.
"As the Ministry of Health, we are producing a policy that will contribute not only to the service side but also to its industry, production and science," he added.
Memisoglu expressed confidence in future healthcare cooperation between the two nations, noting, "There are many opportunities in this field."
Minister Bolat emphasized the government's dedication to protecting national economic interests while fostering international cooperation.
"We are working day and night to protect and further strengthen and develop the production power of Türkiye's economy and the rights of national production," Bolat said, adding that the ministry maintains open consultation with the private sector on all matters.
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