Press release

UK and Turkey to negotiate new trade deal

皇冠体育app UK and Turkey agree to start talks on a new, modernised free trade deal.

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government
  • UK and Turkey announce intention to start talks on a new, modernised free trade agreement.
  • New deal set to replace an existing outdated UK-Turkey deal which only covers goods.
  • Deal designed to boost an already thriving trade relationship, worth 拢23.5 billion in 2022.

皇冠体育app UK and Turkey have today [18 July] announced plans to begin talks on an updated free trade agreement (FTA).

皇冠体育app deal would replace the existing UK-Turkey FTA, which was rolled over from when the UK left the European Union and doesn鈥檛 cover key areas of the UK economy like services, digital and data. 皇冠体育app UK is the second biggest services exporter in the world 鈥� behind only the US, and the services sector contributes around 80% of the UK鈥檚 GDP.

A new deal could boost trade and help UK companies maximise opportunities in this area, driving economic growth 鈥� one of the Prime Minister鈥檚 priorities.

皇冠体育app announcement follows a call between UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Turkish Minister for Trade 脰mer Bolat last week, where they committed to negotiating a new deal and deepening the trade relationship between the two countries.

皇冠体育app UK-Turkey Joint Committee consisting of the UK鈥檚 Chief Negotiator and officials from both sides 鈥� responsible for overseeing implementation of the current agreement聽鈥撀爓ill meet today in Ankara, Turkey鈥檚 capital city to formally conclude the review of the current agreement聽and move towards renegotiation of the Free Trade Agreement.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Turkey is an important trading partner for the UK and this deal is the latest example of how we are using our status as an independent trading nation post-Brexit to negotiate deals that are tailored to the UK鈥檚 economic strengths.

I look forward to using the deal to deepen the UK-Turkey trading relationship, drive economic growth and support businesses up and down the country.

Turkey presents huge opportunities for British businesses, with UK companies already exporting to its growing market of 85 million people.

皇冠体育app new FTA is an opportunity to strike a 21st century deal that is better suited to the modern economies of both the UK and Turkey, covering areas such as digital trade and services.

It would build on an already thriving trading relationship which reached 拢23.5 billion in 2022 鈥� up more than 30% from the previous year 鈥� and better support UK businesses exporting or looking to export to the country. A new FTA could also potentially lead to cheaper goods and more choice for UK consumers.

Later this month, Minister for Exports Lord Offord will be visiting Turkey where he will meet businesses and stakeholders to discuss with investment and export opportunities.

President of Airbus T眉rkiye, Simon Ward, said:

Airbus and Turkey have been long-term strategic partners for almost 40 years and聽Turkey is a partner on all Airbus aircraft programmes, including the prestigious A350.

Greater alignment on cross-border trade will improve competitiveness and provide opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors.

Notes to Editors

  • Turkey is a major supplier of goods such as vehicles, clothing and electrical machinery and goods to the UK, which is its 4th largest goods export market, in return for 拢6.4 billion of UK goods exports including power generators and metals.
  • 皇冠体育app current agreement contains a review clause that committed the UK and Turkey to review the current relationship. This work began last year with both partners concluding there would be merit in broadening and deepening the trade relationship.
  • 皇冠体育app UK expect to launch a call for input, which will be an opportunity for businesses, organisations and individuals to help shape the UK鈥檚 negotiating aims ahead of the talks. Following consultation, the government expects to start renegotiations next year.
  • UK and Turkey Joint Statement here.

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2023