Turkey is set to sign a trade deal with the UK, making the country the UK’s fifth biggest trading partner.
2019 saw roaring trade between Turkey and the UK, worth just over $25billion (£18billion). The UK’s exit from the European Union has created an opportunity for a trade deal that will dwarf previous trade figures.
UK Trade minister, Liz Truss, announced the deal would be signed before the end of 2020. “The deal we expect to sign this week locks in tariff-free trading arrangements and will help support our trading relationship. It will provide certainty for thousands of jobs across the UK in the manufacturing, automotive and steel industries” Said Truss in a statement.
The two countries will sign a deal that duplicates the current arrangements between Ankara and London, with a view to expanding it vastly over the coming years.
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called it Turkey’s most important trade deal. President Erdogan confirmed Turkey’s exports at over $166billion – beyond what was predicted for 2020. “2021 will bring a new era of mutual gain for both countries”, said President Erdogan.