National Depository

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The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ National Depository serves as Türkiye’s official treaty depository. This repository conserves and digitizes a comprehensive catalogue of diplomatic instruments, including treaties, protocols, and conventions, spanning Türkiye’s modern diplomatic history. It highlights key multilateral treaties and bilateral treaties organized by counterpart country, making it an indispensable resource for study or reference of Turkey’s international obligations.

 

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE​

TREATY DOC. 001-01-01

TREATY RATIFICATION

MAY 2007

Procedural History & Background Information​ The Turkish American Trade Agreement is between the Republic of Türkiye (also referred to as Türkiye or the Turkish Government) and the United States of America (also referred to as the U.S. or the American Government). The agreement establishes the framework for bilateral trade, economic collaboration, and market access between the two nations. The document outlines trade terms, regulatory cooperation, dispute resolution mechanisms, and commitments to enhance commercial, financial, and investment relations. Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller, met with Ambassador Aiden Hawkins at the Çanakaya Residence in March 2007, expressing mutual interest in negotiating a trade agreement to strengthen economic ties. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Çiller directed the Ministry of Finance to conduct negotiations and finalize the agreement, while President Sinclair tasked the U.S. Department of Commerce to lead the American negotiating team. In April 2007, Prime Minister Çiller and President Sinclair held a brief telephone conversation during which both parties reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the trade agreement and expanding bilateral economic cooperation. Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller, in consultation with the Council of Ministers, met to approve a draft agreement which was presented to the United States. Following successive trade rounds, both parties began reviewing a final document. Negotiations concluded in May 2007, after which the agreement was formally presented and ratified by both parties in accordance with their respective legislative and constitutional processes. The agreement is scheduled to enter into force in June 2007, establishing a long-term framework for trade and economic collaboration between Türkiye and the United States. Prime Minister Ayşe Çiller approved the proposed final agreement following a review by the Council of Ministers. This review was managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The National Assembly approved the Trade Agreement in a formal vote with 511 in favor and 89 against. The Treaty received the full support of the National Assembly, and President Abdullah Gül signed the treaty. President Benjamin Sinclair signed on behalf of his Administration and formalized the treaty in accordance with the United State's Constitutional Process.

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TURKISH-AMERICAN TRADE AGREEMENT​

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Turkish-American Trade Agreement of 2007​

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CONTEXT​

The American-Turkish Trade Agreement of 2007 is between the nations of the United States of America (also referred to as the United States or America or American Government or Party) and the Republic of Türkiye (also referred to as Türkiye or the Turkish Government or Party), and together referred to as "The Parties." This treaty is meant to foster a spirit of mutual cooperation between the American and Turkish economies, as well as laying the foundation for a prosperous relationship between the Untied States and Turkey. Contained within this treaty is an agreement that is designed to foster good-faith and honest commerce and economic development between the United States and Türkiye.​

ARTICLE 1

OBJECTIVES AND GENERAL DEFINITIONS​

1.1 Objectives - The Parties hereby establish a free trade area on goods, services, establishment, and associated rules in accordance with this Agreement. The objectives of this Agreement are:​

a. To reduce barriers and facilitate trade in goods and services between the Parties, in conformity with general practices of fair trade.​

b. To promote trade in services and investment between the Parties.​

c. To promote competition in their economies, particularly as it relates to economic relations between the Parties.​

d. To adequately and effectively protect intellectual property rights.​

e. To contribute, by removing barriers to trade and by developing an environment conducive to increased investment flows, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade.​

f. To promote foreign direct investment without lowering or reducing environmental, labor, or occupational health and safety standards in the application and enforcement of environmental and labor laws of the Parties.​

1.2 Tariff Rate - With respect to goods, services, establishments, and associated matters not expressly provided for under this Agreement, the Parties agree that such goods and services shall be subject to a tariff rate of twenty-five percent (25%).

1.3 General Definitions - The following words/phrases are defined within the context if this Treaty:​

a. The Parties: The United States of America and The Republic of Türkiye.​

b. The/This Treaty: The American-Turkish Trade Agreement of 2007.​

c. The/This Agreement: The American-Turkish Trade Agreement of 2007.​

d. Dumping: Selling a product in the other party's market at a price lower than its normal price in the home market or below the cost of production.​

e. Countervailing Duties: Special tariffs that are imposed by the importing Party on the goods of the exporting Party to offset financial subsidies provided by the exporting Party to its domestic industries.​

ARTICLE 2

SCOPE OF COMMERCE​

2.1 Scope of American Commerce - The trade of the following goods, with certain specificities, from the United States to Türkiye shall be covered by this Agreement:​

a. Final manufactured goods produced in the United States and/or assembled by companies registered in the United States, comprising: Machinery and mechanical appliances (including nuclear reactors and boilers); electrical and electronic equipment; plastics and plastic articles; furniture, lighting and prefabricated buildings; and articles of iron or steel.​

i. Regarding nuclear reactors and associated products: The Turkish Government agrees to never use any of these technologies, materials, fuels, products, biproducts, or waste to produce radiological weapons of any kind, and also further agrees not to export these technologies, materials, products, biproducts, or waste to any other country without the expressed permission of the United States.​

ii. Regarding nuclear reactors and associated products: The Turkish Government further agrees that it will inform the United States Department of Energy of all locations that store and utilize said technologies, materials, fuels, products, byproducts, and waste and will allow inspectors from the Department of Energy to inspect such facilities, at any time, if requested by the United States.​

b. Foodstuffs including: raw, processed, and packaged items like grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, meat, fish, potato chips, and hot sauce; as well as beverages such as: water, soda, dairy, and alcohol.​

c. Books published and printed in the United States which are written in the English language.​

d. Petroleum products, both raw and refined, such as materials derived from processing crude oil, natural gas, and other hydrocarbons; including fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel; as well as asphalt, waxes, lubricants, and petrochemical feedstocks for plastics and other chemicals.​

2.2 Scope of Turkish Commerce - The trade of the following goods, with certain specificities, from Türkiye to the United States shall be covered by this Agreement:​

a. Final manufactured goods produced in Türkiye and/or assembled by companies registered in Türkiye, comprising: Machinery and mechanical appliances (including computers); electrical machinery and equipment; gems, precious metals and jewelry; textiles and apparel (including hand-woven rugs).​

b. Primary goods produced in Türkiye and/or extracted and refined by companies registered in Türkiye, comprising: Mineral fuels and oils (refined petroleum products); precious stones and metals; iron and steel products; plastics and plastic articles (feedstocks and finished items); agricultural commodities (wheat, flour); and borates.​

c. Books published and printed in Türkiye which are written in the Turkish language.​

2.3 Good Faith Commerce - Both parties agree to the good faith measures in this section of the Agreement:​

a. To adequately and effectively protect intellectual property rights.​

b. To contribute, by removing barriers to trade and by developing an environment conducive to increased investment flows, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade.​

c. To promote foreign direct investment without lowering or reducing environmental, labor, or occupational health and safety standards in the application and enforcement of environmental and labor laws of the Parties.​

d. To accept foreign products and raw materials from the other Party, as specified in this Agreement, without using tactics to purposely make those products undesirable or unreasonably difficult to obtain by individuals and organizations domestically;​

i. Both Parties may require that foreign goods of any kind be labeled with their national origin in a certain way, such as, but not limited to, "MADE IN AMERICA" or "MADE IN TURKEY."​

ii. Both Parties may require government contracts to be filled by using only domestically obtained/produced raw materials/products.​

e. To agree not to engaging in dumping or imposing countervailing duties.​

i. If either of the Parties feel that the other is engaged in dumping or the imposition of countervailing duties, then trade of the affected product(s) may be suspended for 60 days, provided that arbitration is initiated between both Parties to resolve the dispute.​

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ARTICLE 3

SECURITY AND APPLICATIONS​

3.1 Security - Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed: ​

a. To require any Party to furnish any information, the disclosure of which it considers contrary to its essential security interests.​

b. To prevent any Party from taking any action which it considers necessary for the protection of its essential security interests.​

c. To permit either Party to use merchant/commerce/trade personnel, vessels, aircraft, or vehicles to conduct espionage, surveillance, or any kind of military operation;​

i. Nor will this Agreement permit either Party to allow any other country or organization to use merchant/commerce/trade personnel, vessels, aircraft, or vehicles to conduct espionage, surveillance, or any kind of military operation.​

3.2 Entry into Force - This Agreement shall be approved by the Parties in accordance with their national and official legal procedures.​

a. This Agreement shall enter into force the day after both parties have approved it as set forth above in 3.2.​

b. The present Agreement shall be an integral part of the overall bilateral relations between the Parties.​

c. The Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement requires them to act in a manner inconsistent with their obligations under the Global Assembly.​

3.3 Territorial Application - The Agreement shall apply to the territories in that are recognized as part of the United States by the Global Assembly and to the territories of Türkiye which are recognized by the Global Assembly.

3.4 Fulfillment of Obligations - The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement; they shall see to it that the objectives set out in this Agreement are attained.

3.5 Authentic Texts - This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in English and Turkish, both languages being equally authentic.
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ARTICLE 4

DURATION, TERMINATION, AND AMENDMENT​

4.1 Duration and Termination - This Agreement shall be valid indefinitely unless the process of Termination is completed as follows:​

a. Either of the Parties may initiate Termination of this agreement by informing the other party, in writing, of their intention to terminate the agreement.​

b. Termination of the agreement will occur 30 days after the day of one party informing the other that they wish to terminate the Agreement.​

4.2 Amendment - Both Parties agree to permit amendments to this Agreement using the following procedure:​

a. Either party may submit an amendment to this Agreement in writing, which will initiate the Amendment Process.​

b. Once the Amendment Process has been initiated, it is up to both parties to agree to the exact wording of the amendments to this Treaty.​

i. Amendments can either be added into a new section, or can be direct changes/additions/omissions to the text of this Treaty.​

c. The Amendment Process shall be complete, and the amendment(s) shall enter into force, once both Parties have approved the amendment(s) in accordance with their national and official legal procedures.​

Signed for the United States of America,

President of the United States

Signed for the Republic of Türkiye,

President of the Republic of Türkiye​

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