The Turkish delegation, which visited the US Department of Commerce within the scope of the "Panel Series and Commercial Diplomacy Workshops to Increase Türkiye’s Role in Transatlantic Exports" organised in partnership with the Directorate of Communications and the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM), discussed new opportunities in commerce.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Markets and Deputy Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service Dale N. Tasharski, who welcomed the Turkish delegation, stated that the visit was important in identifying new areas of opportunity in investment and trade.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology and AK Party Konya Deputy, Ziya Altunyaldız, a member of the Turkish delegation, pointed out the value of Türkiye-US relations and stated that the visit aimed to overcome barriers to trade between the two countries and seize new opportunities. Chairman Altunyaldız stated that new approaches for the two countries to meet their previously planned trade target of $100 billion should be discussed.
Emphasising that Türkiye has always been an essential member of the Western Alliance, President Altunyaldız stated that Türkiye signed the Paris Agreement within the framework of the Green New Deal. Altunyaldız also underlined that Türkiye had taken all kinds of measures within the framework of green development and transformation. Remarking that US companies can invest in Türkiye in the context of renewable energy, Altunyaldız stated that topics that will benefit the two countries were deemed important and valuable.
Speaking at the meeting, President of the Presidency's Investment Office Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu underlined the significant share of US investors in foreign direct investments into Türkiye over the last two decades. Dağlıoğlu also invited US companies that are not currently operating in Türkiye for investment.
Concerning Türkiye's aluminium and iron-steel exports to the United States, TOBB Vice President Ayhan Zeytinoğlu noted that American companies leaving the country due to Russia's economic sanctions might relocate to Türkiye.
TİM Brand Council Vice-President Süleyman Orakçıoğlu stated that Türkiye's brands were growing worldwide. Orakçıoğlu also touched upon the opportunities for cooperation with US companies in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Orakçıoğlu emphasised that resolving the issue of the additional customs tariffs imposed by the US, particularly on Turkish textile products, would be highly beneficial for bilateral trade.
TOBB Food and Beverage Council Member Murat Hocalar also stated that they could work with the US on food supply security.
TIM Deputy Chairman Başaran Bayrak remarked that they had some opportunities to increase bilateral trade and stated that Türkiye's capacity was increasing every day. Bayrak stated that existing issues should be resolved in order to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.