The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK) released an analysis outlining how additional US customs tariffs have accelerated the transformation of Chinese foreign trade routes, according to reports by Yeni Şafak and Turkish media. DEIK's findings indicate that China's export share to the United States decreased from 14.68% in 2024 to 11.14% in 2025.
To offset losses in the US market, Chinese exporters have diversified across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The report documented that between 2024 and 2025, Chinese exports grew by 25.9% to Africa, 9.7% to the Middle East, and 8.6% to the European Union. DEIK specifically highlighted the United Arab Emirates as China's prominent market in the Middle East, alongside Nigeria in Africa and Germany in Europe.
Speaking in Istanbul, DEIK Chairman Nail Olpak stated that protectionist trade measures are reshaping global commerce rather than simply impacting bilateral US-China relations. He observed that when market access tightens, trade naturally flows along new corridors and toward new partners.
Olpak stated that Türkiye's geographic position, production base, and logistics network provide strategic advantages as global routes shift. However, he also cautioned that competition from Chinese suppliers is intensifying in key overlapping markets across the Middle East and Europe.
Sources
- Yeni Şafak English · 2026-09-29
