On Thursday 2 November, the Department for Business and Trade has launched a public call for input on an upgraded free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and Turkey. The call for input can be accessed via the following link:
The UK is committed to enhancing our existing trade relationship with Turkey, a dynamic and rapidly modernising economy that is expected to be the 12th largest in the world by 2050 and the fourth largest in Europe. The UK and Turkey are the two major powerhouse trading economies at each edge of the European continent and our current trade is valued at £23.5 billion.
Our current FTA, signed in 2020, replicates the effects of various outdated agreements between the EU and Turkey from the 1990s. It only covers goods and is not tailored to the strengths and demands of our modern economies. We want to establish a modern, 21st-century agreement tailored to the evolving economies of both nations to cover crucial sectors, including digital trade and services.
Over 7,500 UK companies already export to Turkey, including well-known brands such as Vodafone, HSBC and Dyson. Turkey’s thriving tech, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure sectors have generated a surge in demand for international expertise in areas such as digital technology. This is an opportunity to negotiate an upgraded FTA that is aligned more closely with the interests and priorities of British businesses than our existing provisions and positions them advantageously for future opportunities.
The call for input, which will run for nine weeks, will offer businesses, individuals, and other interested stakeholders the opportunity to provide valuable feedback and highlight their priorities for our future trading relationship with Turkey.
The input gathered from stakeholders will play a pivotal role in defining our mandate, guiding comprehensive negotiation preparations, and shaping our policy positions. The Department for Business and Trade is dedicated to ensuring that our final approach benefits the best interests of the British economy.
In all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards. Protecting the NHS is a fundamental principle of our trade policy: the NHS, the price it pays for medicines and its services are not on the table.
Next steps
Prior to launching negotiations, the UK Government will publish their approach to negotiations. This will include a response to the call for input and our strategic objectives, as well as an economic scoping assessment. The Government are committed to transparency and will ensure that Parliament, the devolved Administrations, UK citizens and businesses are kept regularly updated on negotiations.
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