Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, the Ministry of Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TIM) President Mustafa Gültepe held a press conference, announced the foreign trade figures in March. Minister Bolat reported that the export record was broken in March with $ 23.4 billion.
Stating that the economic program they implemented with determination, Bolat stated that they continue to give positive results and reminded that the Turkish economy, which has managed to continue its growth performance even during the period of PANDEM, grew by 11.4 percent in 2021, 5.5 percent in 2022, 5.1 percent in 2023 and 3.2 percent in 2024.
Bolat pointed out that Türkiye has risen to the league of upper income according to the definitions of the world bank, “In addition to this, February employment data is another pleasing indicator. Unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent. This is the lowest figure of the last 10 years and fell below the number of 3 million unemployed. Inflation has declined to 38.1 percent, which has been 37.5 points in May. ” he said.
“We will visit the US in mid -May”
Bolat pointed out that the abundance of agricultural products towards the summer and the decrease in the prices of the purchased reasonable levels, the decline in inflation will accelerate a little further, Bolat said that the work for the targets in inflation will be successful, especially with the relaxation of some solidarity in the services sector.
Bolat, emphasizing that some global developments affect trade, “Trump administration has decided to implement additional customs duties to all countries of the world. 10 percent additional customs duties in Turkey was among the countries where the countries that compete with the countries that compete with Turkey. To increase, we decided to accelerate our work, we made our preparations. ” evaluated.
Stating that they will endeavor to turn the new period into an advantageous situation, Bolat also emphasized that they will take measures in the face of the forces of other countries in the export markets and the Turkish market with business world and exporters.
“We achieved the export figure in the second highest March of our history”
Bolat, underlining that the foreign trade data in March is a good news, “We have achieved the second highest export figure in our history, we have reached 23.4 billion dollars with an increase of 3.2 percent. Despite the loss of two calendar days, we have achieved this success with our exporters. I would like to thank all exporters.” He said.
In March 2025, the 23.4 billion dollars obtained in the month of the Republican history of the 5th highest exports in the month of the Bolat, the calendar effect could not be much higher levels, he said.
Bolat pointed out that the monthly export record was broken on the 13th of the last 22 months and said:
“We have reached the highest annual figure of our Republican history in March. In the last 12 months, we exported goods 263.4 billion dollars, which means an increase of 2.1 percent in the annual annual increase in a total of 5.5 billion dollars. On March 28, we had the highest daily export figure of 2 billion 65 million dollars. It increased by 2.3 percent compared to the same month, with the effect of the increase in energy imports due to the increase in the increase in the prices of natural gas. “
Minister Bolat answered the questions of journalists
Bolat answered the questions of journalists after the program he announced the foreign trade figures in March.
Bolat pointed out that US President Donald Trump followed the policy of the US industry and production in foreign trade before the first moment of the new administration brought additional customs duties against the countries that the new administration came to office.
Bolat recalled that the standard 10 percent additional customs duty was brought to all countries of the world on April 2, and said:
“We will have an advantage when we compare the countries we are in competition in the US market”
“Many countries have been brought to much higher rates. Automotive also has additional customs duties. The US wants to protect the auto industry. Turkey is almost the production, investment and supply base of multinational automotive companies. We and these multinational companies and these multinational companies are exporting to all countries of the world. We will have an advantage when we compare the countries we are in competition in the US market. “
Pointing out that the US administration is open to negotiations with taxes related to taxes, Bolat informed that they would go to the USA with a strong delegation of official and private sectors in the middle of May.
Türkiye Century “Century of Trade”
Bolat, in the “trade wars” in the sector and products on the basis of trade deviations may occur, “the US market, the opposite of the competing countries may have a comparative advantage, in the form of the best of the evil. However, other countries will attack our third countries and the Turkish market. We will be extremely careful.” evaluated.
Bolat emphasized that they want to bring Türkiye into a strong exporter in the world market by strengthening the domestic and national industry.
“We want to continue participation negotiations”
Bolat said that the EU understands the importance of Türkiye better in the face of conjunctural developments that occur from time to time and said that there is a panic atmosphere in the EU member states in the face of the new practices of the Trump administration and the efforts of developing relations with Russia.
Bolat said that he thinks that Europe is very weak, especially in the field of defense, and made the following assessment:
“The security of Europe cannot be considered without Turkey. If the EU often does not have an excuse-style obstacles, we would like to continue participation negotiations. Our government’s stance in foreign policy is very clear. We are the most important actor in Europe in the field of defense. Europe, some member states, Turkey-EU relations will come to much better. Our relationships are quite constructive, warm and active. “
Bolat pointed out that he started to invite President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the leaders’ meeting on defense and security issues in Europe and added that this situation means that Türkiye’s power, importance and weight are felt on the European side.
