President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed confidence in Turkey’s ability to withstand the growing global trade tensions triggered by new U.S. tariffs, emphasising the country’s economic resilience and strategic global position.
In a televised address to parliament on April 9, Erdoğan warned of a deepening crisis in the global trade system, describing the current turmoil as a storm that will impact nations worldwide. “The global system is cracking at its core… It would not be an exaggeration to say that a hurricane is coming that will affect everyone,” he said.
His comments follow the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of a new wave of tariffs affecting multiple countries, including a 10% duty on Turkish exports to the United States.
“International trade wars have evolved into a new dimension in the last week… Turkey is one of the countries that has managed this process best,” Erdoğan stated. He added that the country’s strong economic program and relatively low tariffs place it in a favorable position to manage the challenges ahead.
Despite global uncertainties, Erdoğan reassured businesses and citizens that domestic trade and production would remain stable. “May our business world be at ease, may our citizens be at ease,” he said.
Reflecting on Turkey’s evolving role on the world stage, Erdoğan claimed the country is no longer a passive participant but a decisive player. “Our country, which was pushed out of the playground for various reasons in the past, has become one of the founding actors of the new era. It is accepted that a setting without Turkey has no chance of survival.”
He also criticised the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), accusing its leadership of failing to recognise Turkey’s rising geopolitical influence. “They still think that Turkey operates with permission. Turkey has become a country whose permission is sought,” he remarked.
Addressing recent political tensions, Erdoğan denounced the CHP’s support for demonstrations following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges. “The Turkey where you took over the streets of anarchy is in the past,” he said. “The days when you locked down trade and production are in the past.”
Despite the global trade unrest, Erdoğan maintained a confident outlook for the national economy. “The decline in inflation will continue. We continue our disciplined stance in fiscal policy,” he said, also noting improvements in Turkey’s external balance and export performance.
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