Türkiye is asking the European Union to include Turkish-origin goods in proposed “Made in EU” rules that would set conditions for public purchasing and support in selected industrial sectors.
Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir made the appeal at the opening of the 17th Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul on Thursday, Nov. 5, Anadolu Agency reported. He argued that Turkish manufacturing capacity could help Europe manage economic and strategic challenges. Kacir said inclusion would serve both Türkiye and the EU.
The European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act in March. The draft would apply “Made in EU” and low-carbon requirements to public procurement and public support programs in selected sectors, including steel, cement, aluminum, cars and net-zero technologies. It is a proposal, so those conditions are not yet in force.
The Commission has cited global competition and reliance on suppliers outside the EU in strategic sectors as reasons to strengthen European industry. It says the plan is intended to benefit EU businesses and citizens. Kacir’s appeal applies that debate to Türkiye’s industrial ties with the bloc. The Commission’s draft already treats qualifying Turkish-origin content as equivalent to EU-origin content for specified requirements, though lawmakers could change those terms before adoption.
The EU-Türkiye Customs Union entered into force on Dec. 31, 1995, and covers industrial goods, according to the European Commission. Türkiye aligns with EU tariffs and rules within the arrangement’s scope. Kacir pointed to 30 years of customs union membership as a basis for closer industrial cooperation, Anadolu Agency reported.
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union must adopt the proposal before it can take effect. The European Council has called for agreement by the end of 2026; the proposal has no formal adoption date. The outcome will determine whether and how Turkish-origin goods are included in the final rules.
