'We won’t let Türkiye become a warehouse,’ trade minister rejects low-tariff misuse

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Sunday that Ankara is committed to constructive and reciprocal negotiations with the U.S. over the recently imposed tariffs, while warning that Türkiye will not become a transshipment hub for goods rerouted by rival countries attempting to bypass the restrictions.

“Preliminary talks have already begun and further discussions at the ministerial level are planned in the coming days,” Bolat told reporters following the second meeting of the Economic Coordination Board (EKK) and the Eastern Black Sea Project (DOKAP) briefing sessions in Giresun.

Turkish ministers at a press conference

The discussions come as U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff decisions and subsequent retaliation measures by other countries create widespread uncertainty in global trade. Türkiye, however, is among the least affected nations, facing a relatively lower reciprocal tariff rate of 10%.

This minimal exposure has reportedly prompted companies from heavily impacted nations—particularly China, which faces tariffs as high as 145%—to explore rerouting their exports through Türkiye to avoid higher duties, in a practice known as transshipment.

“We will not allow Türkiye to become a warehouse where rival countries unload their goods,” Bolat stated firmly. “We are determined on this matter and will exercise every authority granted by international trade rules to prevent such misuse.”

Bolat emphasized that the ongoing global trade disruptions have severely undermined the multilateral, rules-based system overseen by institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO). “It is a difficult time for the WTO as unilateral decisions have dealt significant damage to the global trade order,” he said, expressing hope for a resolution that minimizes damage and restores trade’s role in driving global growth.