Türkiye-UK trade deal expected to enter force in 2026

By Gokhan Yildiz and Emir Yildirim

ISTANBUL (AA) - A free trade agreement between Türkiye and the UK is expected to enter force in the second half of 2026, the chair of the British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye told Anadolu.

“Everything is in the right direction, and the potential in Türkiye is very high,” Chris Gaunt said Thursday, noting that the UK is attractive for exporters, particularly tech startups, and Türkiye is equally attractive for UK firms.

Gaunt said the process has entered its third stage.

The free trade agreement will also expand into new sectors, including fintech and construction technologies, he added.

“Turkish tech companies are going to the UK to set up their business, (where they can) access funding and capability, which are also very strong in the UK,” he said. “Everybody is focusing on AI, and the UK has very strong capability in AI, so it attracts Turkish companies.”

The UK is the seventh-largest investor in Türkiye, Gaunt said, highlighting the long-standing positive relationship between the two countries.

Trade between Türkiye and the UK totals £28 billion ($37 billion), according to the UK government, making Türkiye the UK’s 17th-largest trading partner. This trade supports more than 57,000 jobs, according to the latest data.

Gaunt said Türkiye currently holds an advantage in the trade balance, estimating that the trade volume consists of 60% Turkish exports and 40% British exports.

He added that the agreement is expected to further boost trade and help balance overall trade volumes.

“Türkiye is a priority market for the UK, and the agreement will bring more confidence to more investors once it’s signed,” he said. “The future looks positive.”