Turkish Business World Warns EU on 'Made in Europe': Excluding Turkey Would Also Hit European Investors

Economic Integration and Investment Risk The European Union's (EU) new industrial strategy, the "Made in Europe" initiative, marks a critical turning point in economic relations between Turkey and the EU.
Representatives of the Turkish business community warn that excluding Turkey from this framework would negatively impact not only local producers but also major European corporations with investments in the country.
Since the establishment of the Customs Union in 1996, Turkey has become a vital production hub for Europe, attracting approximately $270 billion in international investment over the last 23 years.
The fact that 70% of these investments originate from Europe highlights the deep economic ties between the two parties.
Turkey's Role in Strategic Sectors Turkey holds an indispensable position in Europe's supply chain, particularly in strategic sectors such as automotive and white goods.
According to data from the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), Turkey ranks second in the EU's vehicle imports and third in its exports.
In the white goods sector, Turkey is Europe's leading producer.
Exporting 75% of its production, Turkey holds the title of the world's second-largest producer in this field, following China.
Any potential restrictions are expected to directly affect production costs and supply continuity in these sectors.
March EU Summit to Be Decisive While the details of the initiative have yet to be finalized, disagreements within the EU persist.
During a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, it was decided that the sectors to receive preferential treatment would be determined at the official EU Summit in March.
France advocates for protecting struggling sectors through public funds, while Germany emphasizes that global market competitiveness should be the primary focus.
Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, President of the Economic Development Foundation (İKV), stated that excluding Turkey would amount to punishing European companies, emphasizing that a large portion of products manufactured in Turkey and exported to Europe are already the result of European investments.