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Türkiye and the United Kingdom are preparing to significantly expand bilateral trade, with expectations that an upgraded free trade agreement (FTA) could boost total trade volume to $70 billion in the coming years, according to industry representatives.
Vehbi Keles, head of the European Turkish Brands Association, said trade between the two countries continued to grow in 2025, surpassing $30 billion when services are included.
Keles said Türkiye’s exports to the United Kingdom reached $16.7 billion in 2025, up 9.2% year-on-year, while imports from the U.K. rose 6% to $7.26 billion.
Total goods trade climbed to $24 billion, marking annual growth of 8.2%. Including services, total bilateral trade exceeded $30 billion.
Türkiye recorded a $9.44 billion trade surplus with the U.K. in 2025, a performance Keles described as rare among developed Western economies.
The automotive sector accounted for roughly $4.2 billion of Türkiye’s exports to the U.K.
Keles highlighted that commercial vehicles produced by Ford Otosan hold around 33% market share in the U.K.’s commercial vehicle segment.
He added that Turkish manufacturers have adapted rapidly to the U.K.’s electric vehicle and carbon-neutral targets.
In home appliances, Türkiye holds market shares of 22% in refrigerators and 20% in washing machines, supported by energy-efficient product lines.
Electronics exports total about $1.1 billion annually, while cable products contribute roughly $1.8 billion.
Food exports to the UK reach $1.2 billion a year, with Türkiye supplying 95% of the U.K.’s dried apricot imports and 80%–85% of sea bass and sea bream imports.
Keles said the eighth meeting of the Türkiye-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) will be held on Jan. 8, with the fourth round of expanded FTA negotiations expected soon in London.
Talks are expected to conclude this year, with the agreement entering into force by early 2027.
The expanded FTA would go beyond goods trade to include services such as finance, software, architecture, consulting and health tourism, as well as digital trade, data flows, agriculture quotas and visa facilitation for Turkish businesspeople.
Keles urged Turkish companies to focus on branding and long-term presence in the UK market, describing London as a gateway to global markets.
Over the past decade, about 50,000 Turkish firms have exported to the U.K., but only 3,500 have become permanent suppliers, he noted.
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