In a move welcomed by U.S. exporters and trade observers, Türkiye has lifted extra financial obligations that had applied to certain imports from the United States, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other goods. These measures, first introduced in 2018 during a period of economic tension, are being rescinded as Ankara seeks to reset trade relations ahead of a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Donald Trump.
The levies had been imposed following U.S. tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum, and covered a range of U.S.-origin products such as passenger cars, fruit, rice, tobacco, chemical products, solid fuels, and specifically PVC.
Under the former regime, products like primary PVC resin (for example, “poly (vinyl chloride) (not mixed with any other material)”) were subject to significantly elevated additional charges, in many cases as high as 25% above regular duties.
The Turkish Trade Ministry officially announced that these additional financial obligations “imposed on imports of certain U.S.-origin products” have now been terminated. The step is being interpreted as part of broader negotiations and gestures designed to improve economic cooperation, ahead of high-level diplomatic engagements.
Reuters
By removing these burdens, Türkiye aims to strengthen bilateral trade, ease tensions, and encourage greater flows of goods. It also moves to reduce costs for Turkish industries and importers that rely on U.S.-origin PVC and other raw materials or semi-finished goods. Exporters in the U.S. may benefit from renewed competitiveness in the Turkish market.
While precise data on the volume of PVC affected by this change has not been publicly disclosed, stakeholders in the plastics and chemical sectors are expected to monitor closely for shifts in import patterns, pricing, and demand.
