Turkish, US groups urge leaders to shun differences, forge stronger trade ties

ANKARA

Turkish-US business bodies have called on the leaders of the two countries to enhance bilateral trade and boost economic ties.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the heads of the American Chamber of Commerce in Turkey (AmCham) and the Turkey-US Business Council (TAIK), shared details of a letter they have sent to the Turkish and American presidents ahead of their upcoming meeting.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Joe Biden are set for talks on the sidelines of the June 14 NATO summit in Brussels, their first meeting since the US president took office this year.

The letter by the business leaders underlined the need to strengthen alliances rather than focus on differences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The areas in which Turkey and the US cooperate should be highlighted to provide a starting point for resolving issues, it suggested.

“Business is something we do well together, so we sincerely hope that you [Erdogan and Biden] will use this as a platform from which to build common ground in your upcoming meeting,” the letter read.

The business leaders said they expect the meeting to be the first step toward sustainable dialogue.

Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, head of the TAIK, said the pandemic, despite all of its devastating effects, has also given Ankara and Washington a unique opportunity to improve trade ties.

Thanks to its geopolitical position, Turkey can play a more active role in the transformation of the global supply chain, Yalcindag noted.

“We are among the most suitable business partners for the US,” he added.

AmCham head Tankut Turnaoglu said positive results of strategic partnerships between US and Turkish companies show that opportunities exist for the two countries to improve bilateral ties.

Stressing the importance of boosting trade, investments, and economic relations, he said: “Instead of focusing on differences, we should focus on strengthening cooperation.”