The UK’s new Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has announced the Government’s intention to resume trade talks with Türkiye, along with the Gulf Cooperation Council, India and other partners. 

Following the official launch of negotiations for an updated FTA in March 2024, talks were paused due to the UK General Election.

This announcement will re-start the process of getting UK and Turkish negotiators into the room as soon as possible. The first round of trade talks under the new government are expected to resume later this year. 

The UK and Türkiye are two major trading economies at either end of the European continent. Trade between the two countries reached £26 billion in 2023, making Türkiye the 16th largest trading partner for the UK. 

The Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

“Our teams will be entering negotiating rooms as soon as possible, laser-focused on creating new opportunities for UK firms so they can support jobs across the country and deliver the growth we desperately need.”

His Majesty’s Ambassador to Türkiye Jill Morris said: “The UK Government’s decision to swiftly announce the intention to deliver an enhanced FTA with Türkiye signals the importance of such an agreement to driving economic growth and the importance the UK Government places on continuing to grow our trade and investment relationship”. 

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Türkiye Kenan Poleo said:  “The re-start of negotiations is a great moment, and a new UK-Türkiye FTA can unlock significant business opportunities. This year alone, our countries have made historic trade and investment deals in aviation, construction, energy, and many more sectors."

“I believe that the negotiations for a new FTA can foster greater competitiveness, offer business opportunities across various sectors, and will strengthen bilateral trade ties between our two countries.

In the upcoming negotiations, there is room for improvement for both economies in services and investment sectors, but I believe automotive and home appliances business will continue to form the backbone of the trade between Türkiye and the UK in the future.” Said Levent Çakıroğlu CEO of Koç Holding