Business · Trade · 8 hrs ago
Turkey presses EU to include it in new industrial rules
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat met EU and Belgian officials in Brussels to discuss trade and industry policy.
He argued that Turkey should be included in the EU’s planned industrial rules, including proposals linked to “Made in EU.”
Turkey and the EU have a Customs Union, and Bolat said their manufacturing and supply chains are closely connected.
He told EU officials that Turkey should receive equal treatment from the start and have its status clearly protected in law.
Bolat also discussed the rules with Hyundai Motor Europe and Ford representatives, focusing on automotive investment and production links.
He raised Turkey’s concerns about EU carbon-border rules and new charges on cross-border online purchases.
With Belgium, he discussed raising bilateral trade from more than $9.2 billion in 2025 to a target of $15 billion.
Turkey’s trade minister urged the European Union to include Turkey in new industrial rules from the outset and treat it on an equal basis with EU members.
Ömer Bolat said Turkey’s Customs Union ties and integrated production and supply chains should be protected in the EU’s planned “Made in EU” rules.
In Brussels, Bolat discussed the proposed rules with EU and Belgian officials and representatives of Hyundai and Ford.
He said excluding Turkey could weaken European industry’s production capacity and competitiveness.
Bolat also discussed bilateral trade with Belgium, which exceeded $9.2 billion in 2025, and a goal of raising it to $15 billion.
- Who
- Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat urged the EU to include Turkey in its new industrial rules.
- What
- Turkey is seeking recognition as a partner under the proposed “Made in EU” rules from the start, with treatment equivalent to the EU. Bolat also discussed trade and regulatory matters with officials and company representatives.
- When
- The article was published on October 14, 2026. The meeting dates are not stated.
- Where
- Brussels, Belgium.
- Why
- Bolat said inclusion would protect integrated production and supply chains and support European competitiveness.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Minister
- Ömer Bolat
- Location
- Brussels
- EU proposal
- Made in EU” rules under the Industrial Accelerator Act
- Bilateral trade
- More than $9.2 billion in 2025
- Trade target
- $15 billion between Turkey and Belgium
What people are saying
We stressed the importance of shaping the EU's new industrial and competitiveness policies inclusively, taking into account the strong production and supply chains established on the basis of our Customs Union.
We stressed the importance of Turkey being recognized as a partner from the very first moment the regulation enters into force and receiving equivalent treatment with the EU in all provisions.
We conveyed our expectation that Turkey's status be clearly secured in the legislation, providing legal certainty, rather than being left to future assessments.