Between New York and Ankara, A Growing Trade Relationship Looks Toward Technology, Energy and Manufacturing

Trade between Türkiye and the United States has grown into a relationship measured in tens of billions of dollars, linking manufacturers, exporters, investors and consumers across the Atlantic. New figures presented in New York show how broad that commercial connection has become.

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat said bilateral goods trade reached $38.6 billion in 2025. He presented the figure during business and investment meetings in New York on September 23, 2026, while discussing areas where companies from both countries could expand cooperation.

The United States was described by Bolat as Türkiye’s second-largest export destination and fourth-largest import partner. The figures place the American market among the most important external destinations for Turkish companies.

The relationship extends beyond the movement of goods. Turkish and American businesses have also discussed mutual investment, joint production and innovation as possible ways to deepen commercial links. These forms of cooperation can create longer-term relationships than individual export and import transactions.

The sectors highlighted during the meetings covered a wide range of activities. Renewable energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical devices were among the areas identified as potential fields for cooperation.

Such a broad list reflects the changing structure of international trade. Traditional manufactured products remain important, but technology-intensive sectors increasingly form part of bilateral economic relationships.

Investment is another important element. According to figures cited by Turkish officials, Turkish companies have accumulated significant investments in the United States, while American investment in Türkiye has also created a substantial commercial presence.

Business leaders have discussed an eventual $100 billion bilateral trade target. That figure is an objective expressed by participants in the business discussions, rather than a current trade measurement. Reaching it would require sustained growth in exports, imports, investment and production links over time.

The geography of the relationship also matters. Türkiye sits between European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets, while the United States remains one of the world's largest consumer and investment markets. Companies operating across both economies can therefore connect supply chains that stretch well beyond the two countries themselves.

The $38.6 billion figure provides a snapshot of the relationship as it stood in 2025. The discussions in 2026 point toward the possibility of a broader commercial structure, but the eventual direction will depend on individual investments, contracts and market conditions.

For now, the trade relationship continues to move through factories, ports, technology centers and corporate offices on both sides of the Atlantic. Behind every large number is a network of companies making decisions about what to produce, where to invest and which markets to enter next.

Image Disclaimer: The illustrations described below are conceptual visualizations created for editorial purposes and do not depict specific trade negotiations or transactions.

Sources: Anadolu Agency; Türkiye Ministry of Trade; Türkiye Investment Office.