According to a report on Sunday, the United States is where Turkiye increased its exports the most in terms of value last year, and is also the top secondary market for Turkish products worth more than $13 billion (460.66 billion Turkish liras).
Turquier continues to be an important magnet for American companies. In particular, efforts to improve bilateral relations between Turkiye and the United States, despite certain differences of opinion, are also positively reflected in foreign trade.
Turkiye’s investment attraction potential with its strong, large and dynamic economy and strategic location plays an important role here. Established trade missions are also helping to accelerate exports to the US
Therefore, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA) from the Turkish Exporters Council (TIM), the United States became the country to which Turkiye increased its exports the most last year.
Exports from Türkiye to the United States increased by $1.256 billion from the previous year. It is noteworthy that while the United States was at the forefront, exports to other trading partners, particularly the United Kingdom and Romania, also increased significantly.
Following the United States, exports to the United Kingdom increased by $1.254 billion, Romania by $997.9 million, Iraq by $958.8 million, and Italy by $879.2 million.
According to data, Turkiye’s exports to the United States reached $13.4 billion last year. Meanwhile, exports to the UK amounted to $12.7 billion, to Italy about $12 billion, to Iraq $10.7 billion, and to Romania $7.5 billion.
During this period, the countries Turkiye exported the most to were Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Iraq. Turkey’s exports to Germany reached $18.1 billion last year.
chemical lead
Looking at the products that accounted for the majority of Tolkier’s sales to the United States, chemicals and chemical products stand out, becoming the sector with the highest export value in 2024, reaching $1.5 billion.
This sector was followed by the automotive industry with $1.2 billion, ready-made clothing and apparel with $856 million, carpet with $784.3 million, and electrical and electronic products with exports of $774.1 million.
The chemicals and chemical products sector also led to an increase in exports to the United States Last year, exports of chemicals and chemical products to the United States increased by $370.5 million. This was followed by electrical and electronic equipment with $264.8 million, automobiles with $192.3 million, fruit and vegetable products with $83.6 million, and steel with $73.3 million.
Last year, exports of fruit and vegetable products to the United States amounted to $429.4 million, and exports of the steel sector amounted to $627.8 million.
Turkiye exports remained strong last year, with total shipments reaching $262 billion, an increase of 2.5% year-on-year.
By province, Istanbul companies had the highest export value to the United States in 2024, at $4.7 billion, the data also revealed. Meanwhile, exports from the capital Ankara amounted to $1.4 billion, from Izmir $1.2 billion, from Kocaeli $1.1 billion, and from Gaziantep $1 billion.
Successful diversification strategy
Suleiman Ecevit Sanlu, chairman of the Turkish American Businessmen Association (TABA-AmCham), told Anadolu Agency (AA) that increasing trade with the US is part of Turkiye’s successful market diversification strategy. spoke.
He pointed out that the United States’ export excellence was made possible by the effective use of logistics advantages and focus on high-value-added products.
“Trade agreements, digitalization and the development of logistics infrastructure are critical for this increase to continue into the future,” he said.
“The large market potential of the US for Torkiye could enable especially innovative and sustainable products to have a greater presence in this market,” he added.
Regarding the growth in exports of chemicals and chemical products, Sanlu explained that the increase was driven by global demand for petrochemical products, growth in production capacity in Turkiye, and diversification of export markets. Increased exports of value-added products such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics also supported the sector.
Mr. Sanlu stressed that the demand for national projects and increased cooperation with developing countries will support the defense and aerospace industries, while the expansion of Turkiye’s production capacity in green energy technologies will strengthen the renewable energy sector.
He also expected increases in exports of electrical and electronic equipment, furniture, paper and forest products, services exports, and exports of grains, pulses, oilseeds and their products.
Sanlu also pointed out that protectionist policies under US President Donald Trump’s administration could weaken Turkiye’s competitiveness, especially in sectors such as steel and aluminum.
The risk of increased tariffs and costs could make accessing the U.S. market more difficult. Therefore, it is very important to focus on innovative products and price advantages to close the tariff gap, said Sanlı.
