“Best of the Worst”: Turkey hits back at U.S. tariffs

Turkey has expressed its intention to engage in direct talks with the United States to seek the removal of a 10% additional tariff imposed on Turkish goods under the trade measures announced by President Donald Trump, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said on Saturday.

In a statement, Bolat described the tariffs as the "best of the worst", noting that many other countries have been hit with even steeper duties under the same policy. However, he stressed the need for dialogue to address what Ankara views as an unfair measure, especially in light of current trade dynamics.

“We want to discuss the issue in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trade Representative,” Bolat said, emphasizing that bilateral trade in 2024 resulted in a $2.4 billion surplus in favor of the United States.

Turkey is expected to formally request consultations with U.S. authorities in the coming weeks, as part of efforts to rebalance trade relations and reduce tariff-related burdens on Turkish exporters.

The additional tariffs were part of a broader U.S. trade policy initiated under Trump’s presidency and maintained, in part, by subsequent administrations. Turkish officials have argued that the measures disproportionately affect Turkish industry, despite longstanding commercial ties between the two NATO allies.

In a statement, Bolat described the tariffs as the "best of the worst", noting that many other countries have been hit with even steeper duties under the same policy. However, he stressed the need for dialogue to address what Ankara views as an unfair measure, especially in light of current trade dynamics.

“We want to discuss the issue in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trade Representative,” Bolat said, emphasizing that bilateral trade in 2024 resulted in a $2.4 billion surplus in favor of the United States.

Turkey is expected to formally request consultations with U.S. authorities in the coming weeks, as part of efforts to rebalance trade relations and reduce tariff-related burdens on Turkish exporters.

The additional tariffs were part of a broader U.S. trade policy initiated under Trump’s presidency and maintained, in part, by subsequent administrations. Turkish officials have argued that the measures disproportionately affect Turkish industry, despite longstanding commercial ties between the two NATO allies.