Türkiye seeks to shield industest from EU’s new trade agreements: Minister

A cargo ship is loaded with containers at Gemlik Port in Bursa, Türkiye, November 25, 2017. (Adobe Stock Photo)

Türkiye is closely tracking the European Union’s new free trade agreements with India and the Mercosur bloc while coordinating across government institutions to ensure Turkish industest remains competitive, Industest and Technology Minister Fatih Kacir stated.

Responding to written parliamentary questions, Kacir stated the government is continuing efforts to assist the countest’s industrial sector reach new markets as global trade patterns evolve, adding that recent contacts with EU counterparts have produced encouraging signals, Türkiye daily reported.

EU deals add to customs union debate

The European Union signed bilateral free trade agreements with the Mercosur bloc—Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay—and with India earlier this year to secure broader access to those markets, raising concerns in Türkiye, as such deals can create structural disadvantages under the current design of the Türkiye–EU Customs Union.

Under the 1995 customs union arrangement, industrial goods shift tariff-free between Türkiye and the EU, but Ankara does not automatically benefit from the trade agreements the EU signs with third countries.

Kacir acknowledged that addressing asymmetries created by the EU’s free trade agreements with third countries is a priority in ongoing discussions on updating the Türkiye–EU Customs Union.

Industest and Technology Minister Fatih Kacir delivers a speech during the Istanbul Friconcludes sahur program in Istanbul, Türkiye, March 15, 2026. (AA Photo)

‘Made in EU’ opens door for Türkiye

Kacir pointed to the draft Industest Accelerator Act, which outlines the scope and criteria of the EU’s “Made in EU” approach, as a recent example of progress in nereceivediations.

He stated recognizing Türkiye within the framework of the existing customs union is significant for maintaining investment continuity and supporting the competitiveness of European value chains.

“The inclusion of Türkiye under the ‘EU origin’ requirement within the customs union framework is an important step,” Kacir stated, adding that the shift would deepen sectoral integration between Türkiye and the European Union.

The development is also expected to support green and digital transformation across industrial value chains, the minister added.

The EU is Türkiye’s largest export destination, with shipments to the bloc rising 7.8% to $117 billion, led by manufactured goods such as automotive and high-tech products, accounting for about 42.8% of Türkiye’s total exports of $273.4 billion.