Turkey Drops 2018 Tariffs on U.S. Goods - Trade Reset Sparks Bilateral Boom

Ankara slashes barriers in dramatic diplomatic pivot.

The Trade Thaw

Turkey just ripped up its 2018 tariff playbook—wiping out duties on American imports in a bold move to repair relations. No more trade war baggage holding back what could become a multi-billion dollar exchange corridor.

Economic Reset Button

This isn't just paperwork—it's a strategic unlock for both economies. Turkish manufacturers gain access to cutting-edge U.S. technology while American farmers get their products flowing into Mediterranean markets again. Watch supply chains reconfigure in real-time.

Finance professionals are already scratching their heads—wondering why traditional diplomacy moves faster than their quarterly projections. Maybe blockchain settlement solutions could've automated this tariff standoff years ago.

Turkey is expecting broader cooperation in energy and defense with U.S.

Ankara is now moving to broaden cooperation beyond industry. Ankara aims to finalize fresh energy agreements with the United States as soon as next week, part of a broader push to deepen ties spanning commodities to defense. People familiar with the talks, who requested anonymity, said the package may feature commitments to purchase additional U.S. LNG.

Erdogan is also seeking a meeting with TRUMP on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, the people said. The Energy Ministry in Ankara declined to comment.

This diplomatic and commercial outreach comes as Ankara works to rebuild ties with Washington after years of friction over Russian weapons purchases and divergent views on Syria’s war.

It also follows President Trump’s pressure on NATO partners, Turkey included, to halt purchases of Russian oil. Turkey ranks among the largest buyers of Russian crude, even while supplying Ukraine with drones and artillery shells. Erdogan has held off on sanctions against Russia and has sought to mediate between the two sides.

Turkey’s energy mix shows the same balancing act. Moscow remains its biggest gas supplier, providing about 41% of imports last year, according to Turkey’s regulator. But the United States has become its top source of seaborne supply, with volumes almost doubling from 2020 to 2024 and set to grow further after agreements signed at a conference last week. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar also discussed LNG with U.S. oil and gas majors ConocoPhillips and Chevron Corp. during the event.

In nuclear power, Russia is building Turkey’s first plant, while Ankara has invited U.S. companies to invest in small modular reactors, which are quicker to build than regular facilities but are not yet widely available.

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