Turkey and the US draw closer: trade barriers lifted

Ankara, September 22, 2025 — Turkey has officially lifted additional customs duties on a number of goods imported from the United States. The decision was published in the country’s official gazette and came into force immediately.

The tariffs in question were introduced by Ankara in 2018 in response to similar measures imposed by the United States during the trade conflict under President Donald Trump. The list of goods now exempt from additional duties includes passenger cars, fruits, rice, tobacco products, certain alcoholic beverages, solid fuels, as well as specific categories of chemical products.

The removal of tariffs coincided with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly. Bilateral meetings are scheduled during the trip, including with the current US president.

Experts view this step as an attempt to ease tensions in trade and economic relations between the two countries and to give momentum to the restoration of business cooperation. The decision may also positively impact Turkish businesses reliant on imports of American products and help reduce consumer prices domestically.