The program on Relations with the American Continent and Trade Diplomacy Activities with a Focus on the USA, organized under the moderation of MÜSİAD Diplomatic Relations Committee Chairman Zeki Güvercin and with the participation of our Washington Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan, was held.

At the meeting, MÜSİAD Board Member Mehmet Zeki Güvercin pointed out that Türkiye-USA relations have a 200-year past and made the following assessment: “ Despite its past of several hundred years, the United States of America, which has gone through significant processes in its relations with Türkiye, has been very much on our agenda especially during and after the pandemic. When we look at the mutual commercial relations with America, which is a very serious actor in world trade, and at the direct investments the two countries hold in each other, it is clearly observed that the USA in Türkiye and Türkiye in the USA will acquire a higher-level presence in the coming years. When we increase inter-country commercial relations and trade diplomacy even further, this will be to the benefit of both sides”.
   
At the program, Washington Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan began his speech by stating that the world is passing through a difficult turning point and that no one could have predicted the last two years, and said, “ This process may offer new opportunities to business people. You business people have entered into new methods and new pursuits. When the streets begin to come to life, this will be an indicator that trade too is beginning to revive. The United States of America is a relatively successful country in vaccination. With positive developments, when (if it can) the USA moves towards a full reopening in June – July, the country's trade will also develop. Forecasts are being voiced that the system will open up. The benefit of the vaccine is being observed.

THERE IS A POSITIVE BALANCE IN TRADE BETWEEN THE USA AND TÜRKİYE

Ambassador Mercan said that there is a relative balance in terms of USA-Türkiye commercial relations, that Türkiye's trade volume towards the USA has increased, that Türkiye's exports to America stand at approximately USD 11 billion, and that we have imports of around USD 10 billion from America.

Stating that American companies have direct investments of around USD 13 billion in Türkiye and that 1,819 US firms operate in our country, Türkiye's Washington Ambassador Hasan Murat Mercan pointed out that Türkiye likewise has 171 companies in America with USD 7.2 billion.

FOR THE TURKISH PRESENCE IN AMERICA, A “ONE MILLION FIGURE

Stating that, taking into account Türkiye's citizens in America whose families are of Turkish origin regardless of their religion or ethnicity, together with the people connected to Türkiye who came to this country during the Ottoman period, one may speak of a Turkish presence of one million in America, Mercan said that it is necessary to keep Türkiye-America relations positive and to develop commercial and economic relations. Noting that, in order to develop relations between Türkiye and America, they have as the Embassy launched an intensive process of meetings with the owners of companies that have investments in America, he pointed out that a great deal of work falls to organizations such as MÜSİAD here.

Emphasizing that there is an upward trend in the exports of small and medium-sized companies to America, he stated that once brand value is created this success will continue to grow. Noting that there are exports flowing to America thanks to the embassy's commercial counsellor's office, to the institutions working in this direction in Türkiye and to MÜSİAD's contributions, Mercan said that there are Turkish products reaching local markets and that we also have companies selling Turkish goods to large store chains in the USA, explaining that home textile products in particular lead the way.

Ambassador Mercan pointed out that a very important human resource coming to the country for an academic career is also being educated in America, that this generation has carried out very successful work particularly in the regions referred to as Silicon Valley and has established start-ups, and that correct communication and coordination with this resource would bring great benefit to Türkiye. Noting that TÜBİTAK also has work in this sense and that there are products and developments in the Silicon Valleys that generate added value very quickly, Ambassador Mercan said that trade diplomacy towards America should be increased and that they welcome MÜSİAD's desire in this regard with pleasure.

He stated that Turkish Airlines, as an institution that is a source of pride for our country, operates flights to 9 destinations in the USA, and that this too is an important factor in reaching the American public. Noting that the USA visited Türkiye with 600 thousand tourists in 2019, and referring to the possibility of raising this figure to one million, he emphasized that cultural tourism in particular, a good presentation of the historical values Anatolia offers, and gastro tourism would be influential in this.

WHERE DO TURKS LIVE IN THE USA

Pointing out that people of Turkish origin in America are found more in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey and Miami, Mercan said that Turkish Airlines will also launch flights to New Jersey.