Ankara: Trkiye and the UK are gearing up for a third round of negotiations aimed at establishing a 'next-generation' comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), intended to replace the existing one that has been in place since 2021. This upcoming round follows a productive second round of talks in September, which laid the groundwork for further discussion.
According to Anadolu Agency, the previous rounds of negotiations focused on goods trade, trade policy, health and plant health measures, customs, and trade facilitation. Both nations explored the potential for new market openings, particularly in agricultural products, while also seeking to expand cooperation in health and plant health sectors and streamline customs procedures.
Discussions also encompassed financial services, telecommunications, legal services, maritime transport, postal and courier services, and digital trade, with a particular emphasis on secure data transfer and investment protection. The aim is to facilitate trade in services and investments, ensure legal predictability, and reduce trade costs through closer integration in digital trade. Intellectual property rights, administrative and institutional provisions, regulatory practices, labor, and environmental issues were also on the negotiation table.
The UK Department for Business and Trade reported positive progress during the second round, especially in areas like digital trade and financial and professional business services. Both countries reaffirmed their international commitments and identified common priorities.
The third round of negotiations is slated for November 2025, with the goal of transforming the FTA into a comprehensive agreement that could enhance trade relations. Strengthened trade ties with Trkiye are anticipated to boost employment and national prosperity in the UK.
For Trkiye, the UK market represents a strategic interest, given its population of 69 million and significant consumer demand. In 2024, the annual trade volume between Trkiye and the UK reached $22 billion, with the UK becoming Trkiye's seventh-largest trading partner, according to the Turkish Trade Ministry. Trkiye enjoyed an $8 billion trade surplus with the UK during the same period.
The UK Department for International Trade identified Trkiye as Britain's 16th largest trading partner. In 2020, trade with Trkiye supported 57,100 jobs across the UK, highlighting the importance of this bilateral relationship.