ANKARA, TURKEY - The United States-Turkey Trade and Investment Council met on September 12-13, 2017 in Ankara under the auspices of the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). This was the tenth meeting of the Council held since the TIFA was signed in 1999.
Acting Deputy Undersecretary Mr. Hüsnü Dilemre led the Turkish delegation which included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as representatives from the Patent Institute, Turkish Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals Authority, Public Procurement Authority and Personal Data Protection Authority.
Mr. Daniel Mullaney, the Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Agriculture.
The U.S. and Turkish delegations discussed a variety of market access and related issues, with a view to exploring ways to expand bilateral trade, increase investment, and create jobs.
Issues discussed included the healthcare sector, agricultural trade, industrial goods trade, government procurement, the digital economy, intellectual property rights, and export credit cooperation. Both Sides also exchanged views on multilateral trade issues.
The Council acknowledged the importance of improving the overall private sector business climate between the two nations. To this end, both sides committed to enhancing dialogues concerning agricultural and digital trade. Both Sides will also explore possible ways for further work on fields such as trade facilitation, export financing, innovation, advanced manufacturing and startups.
The Council agreed to follow up with concrete actions and agreed to hold the next formal Council meeting in the second half of 2018 in Washington.
