Newsletters
The first round of negotiations to modernize the free trade agreement (FTA) between Türkiye and the United Kingdom is scheduled to begin in July, Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced Wednesday.
Following his meeting in London with U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, Minister Bolat shared his insights in his post on X, highlighting that this was their first face-to-face discussion since last summer's change in the UK government.
Bolat described the talks as productive and confirmed that Türkiye extended a formal invitation to Reynolds for a future visit. He also noted that two new agreements were signed during the meeting, marking further progress in bilateral trade relations.
In addition to the current FTA signed at the end of 2020—which primarily covers industrial goods—the two countries signed supplementary agreements aimed at removing technical barriers to trade, especially in the automotive and chemical sectors.
“These agreements address approximately $7.5 billion of our $22 billion bilateral trade volume, eliminating regulatory hurdles that impact one-third of our total trade,” Bolat said. “They facilitate Türkiye’s access to the UK market in key sectors by aligning technical standards and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.”
Bolat also confirmed that the Türkiye–U.K. Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) will hold its eighth session in London later this year, further strengthening institutional ties.
Looking ahead, Türkiye and the U.K. have agreed to begin formal negotiations in Ankara before July to expand the scope of the FTA. The updated deal is expected to include services, digital trade, investment, and selected agricultural products.
“This is a significant step,” Bolat said. “While such negotiations typically take time, our goal is to reach consensus and move toward signing a comprehensive agreement. We are currently awaiting the U.K.’s formal mandate, but both sides will begin technical-level discussions in the meantime.”
The newly signed chapter on technical barriers, which includes annexes on chemicals and motor vehicles, is designed to streamline trade in sectors that account for approximately 33% of bilateral commerce. The agreement simplifies product recognition, reduces compliance costs, and facilitates innovation, all while preserving public health, environmental, and safety standards.
Aligned with Türkiye’s regulatory harmonization process with the European Union, the agreement is also compatible with the U.K.'s existing Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU. This ensures continuity in trade and makes future adaptation easier, including in areas such as green economy initiatives.
The technical barriers agreement is seen as a major milestone in the broader effort to modernize the Türkiye–U.K. FTA. It is expected to enhance trade flows, support business competitiveness, and contribute to stronger economic ties between the two countries.
4 min read
