The head of Denver’s Chamber of Commerce has called for reduced trade barriers between the United States and Türkiye, as the two countries work towards an ambitious $100 billion trade goal. Speaking at a business council meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday, J.J. Ament, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the untapped potential of bilateral trade and the importance of eliminating obstacles to free trade.
Business Leaders Seek Stronger US-Türkiye Trade Ties
Ament, representing Colorado’s largest business organization, highlighted Denver’s strategic location as a hub for Turkish investment in the United States. He reassured Turkish companies that his chamber would provide full support in navigating the U.S. market, including advice on tax regulations and other essential policies.
Ament’s visit came as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S.-Türkiye business relations. On Thursday, the Türkiye-US Business Council (TAIK), part of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), convened in Istanbul, where business leaders from both nations discussed expanding trade and investment.
Denver Positioned as a Gateway for Turkish Investors
During the meeting, Murat Ozyegin, head of TAIK, explained that the council is working closely with cities in Colorado, including Denver, to build more robust trade partnerships. Ozyegin pointed out that the launch of Turkish Airlines’ direct flights between Istanbul and Denver has greatly facilitated business travel, making the process quicker and more efficient for both Turkish and U.S. businesspeople. This air link is seen as a critical step in boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trade Volume Progressing Toward $100 Billion Target
Currently, the total trade volume between the U.S. and Türkiye stands at $32.5 billion in goods, with services pushing the total to about $45-46 billion. This progress represents a significant step toward the $100 billion target set in 2019 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Although the two countries are on track to reach this target, strategic measures are being implemented to overcome existing trade barriers. One such initiative is the working group established by TAIK, focused solely on enhancing bilateral trade and addressing challenges that might slow growth.
Strategic Efforts to Overcome Trade Barriers
The trade deficit between the U.S. and Türkiye is currently about $500 million, which Ozyegin described as relatively small. However, he highlighted that the focus should remain on creating a fairer and more open environment for both nations’ businesses.
Ozyegin also pointed out that the U.S. has temporarily suspended additional tariffs for all trade partners except China for the next 90 days, creating an opportunity for further negotiations.
As negotiations move forward, Ozyegin believes both countries have the chance to accelerate progress toward the $100 billion trade goal. He expects these efforts will continue to intensify as the tariff suspension window comes to a close.
Looking Toward the Future of US-Türkiye Trade Relations
As the U.S. and Türkiye continue to focus on long-term investments and improving trade relations, the mutual benefits of a stronger partnership are becoming increasingly clear. For the U.S., Türkiye represents an important trade partner, especially in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and technology. On the other hand, Türkiye stands to gain significantly by increasing its exports and attracting more U.S. investments.
The ongoing efforts from both sides, especially through strategic initiatives like Denver’s role as a gateway for Turkish investments and the direct flight connection, will likely play a pivotal role in helping the two countries reach their ambitious trade target.
